Catching Up on Biosimilars: A new horizon to help save on the cost of biologic drugs

Please join us for lunch on Thursday June 16th, 2016 at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel, 133 – 9 Ave. SW Calgary.

The entry of Biosimilar medicines hold the potential to generate substantial drug cost savings and contribute significantly to the sustainability of workplace benefit plans. To do this, it is imperative that biosimilar products are of the highest quality and able to effectively meet plan member needs. Consideration must also be given to fostering a suitable business environment that will encourage ongoing biosimilar drug entry in Canada over the long-term. This presentation will highlight key opportunities and challenges associated with the advent of biosimilars in Canada.

CE CREDITS PENDING

Guest Speakers 

BRUNO MӒDER Bruno Mäder has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years. He joined Schering Plough in 1993 which merged with Merck in 2011. He currently has a Canadian and global mandate with this company. Bruno is vice-president of the biologics and diversified products division for Merck Canada and also plays an active role in shaping the global market access strategy as a member of the global Biosimilar team. Prior to this role, he was general manager of the Merck OTC products business in Canada and he is the former chairman of the consumer health products Canada (CHP) which is the OTC industry association. Bruno created the immunology division for Schering Plough Canada and continued to lead this division with Merck after the merger. He launched Remicade in Canada which remains a top selling biologics brand

in Canada and he was the head of the division during the launch of Simponi in the same market. During this period, he led the opening of the first private infusion clinics for Remicade as well as the launch of the bioadvance patient and physician support program. 

Leila Mandlsohn Pharmacy Consultant Leila is a Pharmacy Consultant in the GSC Pharmacy and Market Strategy Team. In this role, she is responsible for all facets of drug claims, including drug evaluations, formulary design and maintenance, pharmacy provider and stakeholder relations, drug pricing and policy. Leila brings a valuable mix of pharmacy experience from key roles in Canada and the US, from eight years of community pharmacy experience at various independent and chain pharmacies,

including Walgreens, to ten years in hospital pharmacy practice at Toronto General Hospital. While working in the US, Leila also developed pharmacy benefit management expertise at Medco.
A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (BScPharm), Leila also completed a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree at the University of Kansas. She is a licensed pharmacist in Ontario (Part A) and Massachusetts, and a member of the Ontario Pharmacists Association, Canadian Pharmacists Association and the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy.