The second biosimilar to infliximab  (Remicade) is now available on the PBS.

Marketed by MSD as Renflexis the biosimilar is approved in adults, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe psoriasis and refractory fistulising Crohn’s disease.

MSD Managing Director Riad El-Dada noted that the full potential of biosimilars had not yet been realised because of  “misalignment across key stakeholders”.

“We know that in order to be successful we need to support the scientific community and earn the confidence of prescribers.

We also know that there are substantial savings that the Government can realise through a robust policy to promote biosimilars use, as outlined in the Strategic Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and Medicines Australia,” he said in a statement.

Remicade and Renflexis brands of infliximab are be marked as equivalent in the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits (‘a’ flagged) for the purposes of substitution by the pharmacist at the point of dispensing for all indications currently PBS-listed.