Pakistan's drug regulator has approved a biosimilar version of a costly cancer drug bevacizumab in the country, Chinese firm Kexing Biopharm said in a statement.

The move is set to increase local access to more affordable cancer treatments and deepen health-sector partnerships between the two countries, Gwadar Pro reported on Monday.

The approval allows the enterprise to market the bevacizumab biosimilar drug manufactured by China-based TOT Biopharm that is a near-identical alternative of the widely used therapy for several advanced cancers, including colorectal, ovarian, and lung cancers.

The original drug, marketed by Roche as Avastin, can cost several hundred dollars per dose, placing it beyond the reach of most patients in the country of more than 240 million people.

The need for more affordable options is critical. Pakistan records more than 118,000 cancer deaths a year, with lung, colorectal and ovarian cancers—all potential targets for bevacizumab therapy—among the major contributors, according to data from the World Health Organisation's Global Cancer Observatory.

In its 2018 drug pricing policy, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan seeks to curb medical expenditures by promoting the use of more affordable generic and biosimilar medicines.

A biosimilar is a biological product that is demonstrated to be as safe and effective as a licensed reference drug whose patent has expired.

With a market presence in over 70 countries, Kexing Biopharm has introduced biosimiars, formulations, and innovative drugs to emerging economies, especially countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), helping build a more resilient health system in these nations.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China