BIO Urges Governor Herbert to Sign Bill That Ensures Patient Access to Interchangeable Biologic Medicines

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) calls upon Governor Herbert to sign important legislation that serves to update existing Utah laws governing substitution of interchangeable biologic medicines.

The Utah Senate unanimously passed House Bill 279 last week, a bill that amends provisions of the 2013 Pharmacy Practice Act. This action follows House passage of the same bill earlier this month.

House Bill 279 represents a significant step forward, ensures transparency and communication between patients and their treatment teams, and is fully consistent with BIO’s principles on biologic substitution. Therefore, BIO supports this important legislation and encourages Governor Herbert to sign the bill when it reaches his desk.

“House Bill 279 enjoys the support of physicians across the country, patient groups, and both innovator biologic and biosimilar manufacturing companies. This bill includes transparent communication on all biologic medicines dispensed in order to maintain a consistent and complete medical record,” said Jim Greenwood, BIO’s President and CEO.

While the FDA oversees approval of biologic medicines and designation of interchangeability, policies governing whether one product may be substituted in place of a doctor's prescription and whether a pharmacist must inform patients and doctors are covered by state law. House Bill 279 seeks to properly preserve patient access to accurate prescription information, maintains incentives for innovation and promotes a competitive market for biologic therapies. BIO will continue to advocate for full transparency in the substitution process, as patients and their physicians should have the right to know what biologic medicine the patient receives from the pharmacy.

“This legislation will benefit Utahns when the first interchangeable biologics are approved by the FDA,” said Greenwood. “When they become available, these therapies will be safe, effective, and similar to innovator biologics. Furthermore, they will provide patients with more opportunities to address their unmet medical needs, particularly severely ill patients who rely on cutting-edge medical treatments.”

While the FDA recently approved the first biosimilar product for sale in the US, the agency continues to develop a pathway for the development and approval of safe and effective interchangeable biologic products in the United States. In fact the FDA has indicated they expect to see applications for interchangeable biosimilar product approvals this year. However, there is still a major role for states to play in ensuring substitution practices remain transparent and physicians remain engaged in the process.

“Interchangeable biologics are not generics. Even slight changes to a biologic drug can change its properties entirely,” said Greenwood. “Unlike conventional generic medicines, interchangeable biologics are not the same as the drugs they seek to substitute. In fact, two biologics made using different cell lines and differing manufacturing processes will rarely, if ever, be exactly the same. Those suggesting interchangeable biologics and generics are the same are wrong.”

Patients and physicians managing chronic conditions are generally aware of which biologic treatments work best in their unique circumstances. Communicating with patients and physicians allows everyone involved the opportunity to discuss past treatment experiences so that any possible unexpected issues can be better understood and avoided.