Belgium’s recent royal decree on pharmaceutical reimbursement represents “three significant steps forward for the generic medicines sector”, according to local off-patent industry association FeBelGen. As well as simplifying reimbursement, the association points out, the decree also sets out a reimbursement pathway for value-added medicines as well as removing certain packaging requirements.

Sandoz is seeking an en banc rehearing of a recent appeals court decision that stands to keep its Erelzi biosimilar etanercept rival to Enbrel off the market until 2029 in the US, claiming that the ruling provides a “playbook” for originators to extend patents beyond their legitimate terms.

Eli Lilly has seen sales of its Basaglar insulin glargine hybrid remain static in the second quarter of 2020. However, the company reported total sales for the first half that were up by a tenth compared to the first half of 2019.