FDA approves 1st cheaper version of J&J's top drug Remicade

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials have approved a cheaper version of Johnson & Johnson's blockbuster drug, Remicade, a pricey biotech medicine for inflammatory diseases.

Biotech drugs are powerful, injected medicines produced in living cells that are typically much more expensive than traditional, chemical-based drugs.

Biosimilar is the industry term for generic biotech drugs, used to indicate that they are not exact copies of the original biologic medicines.

"Biosimilars can provide access to important treatment options for patients who need them," said Janet Woodcock, the FDA's director for drugs.