Hospira Launches Biologics 'Clock' and Web Resource to Raise Awareness of Potential Biogenerics' Impact
05 Maio 2009 - 11:34AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Clock Shows $1,331 Per Second In Biologic Drug Sales - LAKE
FOREST, Ill., May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hospira, Inc. (NYSE:
HSP), the world leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals, today
launched a clock tracking real-time U.S. prescription sales of
costly biologic drugs as part of an informational Web resource
highlighting the potential impact of biogenerics - generic versions
of biologics - on the U.S. healthcare system. Although biogenerics
are widely available in Europe and other parts of the world today,
there is currently no legislative pathway allowing the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve these safe, cost-effective
alternatives for Americans. "As the first U.S. company to launch a
biogeneric medicine in Europe, Hospira brings unique expertise to
the growing effort to create a regulatory pathway for these
life-saving and life-enhancing drugs in the United States," said
Christopher B. Begley, chairman and chief executive officer,
Hospira. "We enthusiastically support legislation in Congress to
make high-quality, safe and more affordable biogenerics available
in this country." The clock, available at http://www.hospira.com/,
gives a year-to-date approximation of biologic drug sales. It is
continually updated so visitors can watch the numbers tick away, at
a rate of $1,331 per second, or an estimated $42 billion a year.(1)
The site also provides links to a study showing the potential
billions of dollars in savings associated with biogenerics and
encourages visitors to make their voices heard in Washington, D.C.,
as Congress considers legislation to bring biogenerics to market.
In Europe, the introduction of biogenerics has led to price savings
of 20 to 30 percent in some markets.(2) Hospira's biogeneric,
Retacrit(R) (epoetin zeta), is a treatment for anemia associated
with chronic kidney failure and chemotherapy-induced anemia, and is
available in 15 European countries today. Since launch in early
2008, Retacrit has obtained a 30 percent share of the biogenerics
market for its drug class. About Hospira Hospira, Inc. is a global
specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company dedicated
to Advancing Wellness(TM). As the world leader in specialty generic
injectable pharmaceuticals, Hospira offers one of the broadest
portfolios of generic acute-care and oncology injectables, as well
as integrated infusion therapy and medication management solutions.
Through its products, Hospira helps improve the safety, cost and
productivity of patient care. The company is headquartered in Lake
Forest, Ill., and has more than 14,000 employees. Learn more at
http://www.hospira.com/. (1) Hospira research based on IMS Health,
news release, June 17, 2008; "IMS Health Reports Global Biotech
Sales Grew 12.5 Percent in 2007, Exceeding $75 Billion." U.S. sales
accounted for 56 percent of world sales in 2007, according to IMS,
which equates to an estimated $42 billion in U.S. sales. The
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says spending on biologics has
grown in the United States, "exceeding $40 billion" in 2007 (Budget
Options; Volume 1: Health Care, December 2008). (2) Hospira
internal data. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040503/HSPLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/DATASOURCE: Hospira, Inc. CONTACT:
Media, Dan Rosenberg, +1-224-212-3366, or Investors, Karen King,
+1-224-212-2711, both of Hospira, Inc. Web Site:
http://www.hospira.com/ PRN Photo Desk,
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