Novartis joins call asking FDA to stop biosimilar trash-talkers
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) joined Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) in asking FDA to stop campaigns from branded drugmakers that the pharmas say are misleading the public about the safety of biosimilars. Novartis submitted its comments in a letter made public Nov. 14 in support of a Citizen’s Petition filed in August by Pfizer.
In the original petition, Pfizer requested FDA issue guidance outlining false or misleading sponsor communications to clarify what would be considered "inappropriate." The petition singled out companies it accused of creating "doubt about the safety and effectiveness of biosimilars," including the Genentech Inc. unit of Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY), the Amgen Biosimilars subsidiary of Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) and the Janssen Biotech Inc. unit of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)...