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Biosimilars Bulletin | May 2020
News and Updates
AAM Files Amicus Brief Supporting the BPCIA
The Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) has filed an amicus brief in the latest constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), arguing that even if the individual mandate of the ACA is deemed unconstitutional, the biosimilars pathway (BPCIA) should survive.
Survey: Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners Need More Biosimilar Education
While a percentage of oncology pharmacy practitioners believe that their guidance on biosimilars has influenced clinicians, many report that their knowledge of biosimilars is lacking in critical areas, according to the results of a recent survey.
Boehringer Ingelheim Policy Chief Discusses Biosimilar Outlook
Molly Burich, head of public policy for Boehringer Ingelheim, discusses hopeful signs that the biosimilars market in the United States is improving.
The Pharmacist’s Role In Biosimilar Uptake
As the health care system became acutely aware of the rising costs of medicines, the American Health System Pharmacists Foundation (AHSP) established a set of guidelines laying out a multidisciplinary approach for formulary management and drug utilization management.
How Will COVID-19 Impact Biosimilar Supply & Growth In The U.S.?
In order to learn more, Biosimilars Development Editor Anna Rose Welch turned to editorial board member Sean McGowan. As the Senior Director of Biosimilars for the wholesaler AmerisourceBergen, McGowan is in the perfect position to provide an all-encompassing view on the current supply trends and challenges that may be facing the biologics industry in both the short and long-term.
Tufts Study: Most Payers Don’t Give Preference to Biosimilars
A new JAMA analysis finds that 17 of the largest commercial health plans last year rarely preferred biosimilars Health plans required patients first try a biosimilar before gaining access to a brand-name biologic just 14 percent of the time. By contrast, brand-name medicines were favored in 33 percent of the coverage decisions, while preferred coverage was offered for both medicines 53 percent of the time.
Bringing Down Federal Spending: A Biosimilars Shared Savings Model To Lower Health Care Costs
The Biosimilars Forum recently released a study outlining how the federal government could establish a biosimilars shared savings model. This action would better align incentives between health care providers and Medicare, and potentially save the federal government billions of dollars.
Featured Resources
New Resource: Biosimilars Approvals and Launches
A comprehensive resource on the latest FDA-approved biosimilars, including launch dates where applicable.
A Blueprint for Enhancing the Security of the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
A closely connected, diverse and resilient pharmaceutical supply chain based in the United States and in U.S. allied countries (for example, Canada, Europe, Japan, India, Israel and Jordan) is the best means to ensure that U.S. patients and the U.S. health care system have access to a secure and consistent supply of critical pharmaceuticals.
Increase Patient Access to Lower-Cost Biosimilar Medicines
The three legislative proposals outlined in this one-pager would help strengthen biosimilar adoption and each is designed to ensure savings for patients and Medicare.
Physician Biosimilar Testimonials
Check out the newest Biosimilar Council resource, in which physicians discuss the benefits and promise of biosimilars.
Upcoming Events
GRx+Biosims 2020
Planning + Ready Join us November 9-11, 2020 in North Bethesda, Maryland for GRx+Biosims 2020. GRx+Biosims is the premier scientific and regulatory event for the U.S. generics and biosimilars industries, featuring timely programming relevant to technical, regulatory and policy professionals. Hear from top-in-their-field officials and subject-matter experts; share knowledge and best practices; and gain insights on navigating the regulatory process approvals and the evolving policy landscape.
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 on our about page.
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 23 percent of total drug spending. Additional information is available at www.accessiblemeds.org.