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Committee hears bill to let pharmacists substitute biosimilars; supporters tout savings, advocates warn of point-of-sale cost risk
Summary
The House Health Care and Wellness Committee heard Gross Second Substitute Senate Bill 5,594 to add biosimilars to state substitution rules and allow carriers to require a biosimilar trial before covering branded biologics starting 01/01/2027. Proponents said it lowers costs; patient advocates cautioned about out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy counter.
On Feb. 10, the House Health Care and Wellness Committee heard Gross Second Substitute Senate Bill 5,594, a measure that would expand pharmacists’ authority to substitute FDA‑approved biosimilars for prescribed biologic drugs and add biosimilar utilization goals to state purchasing contracts. The bill would allow health carriers to require patients to try a biosimilar before providing coverage for the equivalent branded drug beginning Jan. 1, 2027, according to committee staff.
Supporters across insurers and industry said the change would reduce costs for consumers and the health-care system. "Biosimilars are safe, FDA approved alternatives to high cost biologics, and on…
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