Congress’ Bipartisan Efforts to Increase Patient Access to Biosimilars

Wednesday October 2, 2019

Congress’ Bipartisan Efforts to Increase Patient Access to Biosimilars Respond to America’s Drug Pricing Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC (OCTOBER 2, 2019) — The Biosimilars Council, a division of the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), applauds bipartisan efforts in the U.S. House of Representatives that would encourage biosimilar uptake and utilization by patients in the Medicare program by aligning patient, provider and taxpayer incentives.

The Acting to Cancel Copays and Ensure Substantial Savings to Biosimilars Act of 2019 (H.R. 4597), introduced by Representative Scott Peters (D-CA), Representative Anthony Brindisi (D-NY) and Representative Peter King (R-NY), would reduce to zero the patient cost-sharing for biosimilars in Medicare Part B (H.R. 4597). The Bolstering Innovative Options to Save Immediately on Medicines Act (H.R. 4455), introduced by Representative Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Representative Greg Gianforte (R-MT), would increase Part B reimbursement for biosimilars by 2%.

“These policies would not only realize out-of-pocket savings for Medicare beneficiaries struggling to pay for expensive medicines, but can also be a springboard for biosimilar growth in the U.S. as patients and providers become increasingly familiar with their safe and efficacious use. We look forward to working with the bill sponsors to move these proposals forward,” says Christine Simmon, Executive Director, Biosimilars Council, and Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategic Alliances at AAM.

 

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About AAM

AAM is driven by the belief that access to safe, quality, effective medicine has a tremendous impact on a person’s life and the world around them. Generic and biosimilar medicines improve people’s lives, improving society and the economy in turn. AAM represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, manufacturers and distributors of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic industry. Generic pharmaceuticals are 90 percent of prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. but only 22 percent of total drug spending.

About the Biosimilars Council

The Biosimilars Council, a division of the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), works to ensure a positive environment for patient access to biosimilar medicines. The Biosimilars Council is a leading source for information about the safety and efficacy of more affordable alternatives to costly brand biologic medicines. Areas of focus include public and health expert education, strategic partnerships, government affairs, legal affairs and regulatory policy. More information is available at www.biosimilarscouncil.org.

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