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Biosimilar substitution bill draws support for cost savings and narrow opposition over non‑interchangeable substitution
Summary
House Bill 17-25 would authorize pharmacists to substitute biosimilars for prescribed biological products and to require substitution when the biosimilar is cheaper; supporters point to cost savings, while biotech industry representatives object to allowing substitution of products the FDA has not deemed interchangeable.
House Bill 17-25, which would allow pharmacists to substitute FDA‑approved biosimilars for prescribed biological products and permit insurers to require biosimilars in certain coverage rules, drew broad support Wednesday in the House Health Care & Wellness Committee but also a narrow objection from the biotechnology industry over a drafting issue.
Committee staff explained that biosimilars are biological products highly similar to an FDA‑approved reference product; a subset of biosimilars that meet additional standards are designated "interchangeable," meaning pharmacists may…
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