Bill would create programs to promote use of cost-effective biosimilar drugs

Reps. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., have introduced the Advancing Education on Biosimilars Act of 2019, which would create federal programs to promote the use of use cost-effective biosimilar drugs. Among other areas, the AHA-supported bill would require the Food and Drug Administration to create a public website to educate patients and providers about biological and biosimilar products. The website will include materials about which biologicals and biosimilars may be interchangeable, and processes for reporting adverse events that pose a risk to patient health and safety. The bill also will require development of continuing education programs for health care providers. “America’s hospitals and health systems thank Reps. Engel and Bucshon for their bipartisan efforts to facilitate the increased use of biosimilar drugs, including the importance of interchangeability, by educating providers, patients and other key stakeholders on their clinical value,” said AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels. “This will give patients greater access to affordable, innovative drugs.” Sens. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., earlier this year introduced companion legislation that was included in S. 1895, the Lower Health Care Costs Act, that passed the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in June.