Sen. Weber Pearson's bill to expand biosimilar substitution advances from committee

Sen. Weber Pearson's SB 1094, which would allow pharmacists to substitute FDA'approved biosimilars for prescribed biologic medicines unless the prescriber indicates "do not substitute," was advanced by the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on a 10-0 roll call.

The bill's author accepted committee amendments intended to clarify patient protections and transparency. The changes add the word "safe" to legislative intent language, require the state board to link to the FDA'maintained "Purple Book" rather than maintain its own list, define "reference product" consistent with federal law, and require health plans to give at least 30 days' advance notice to an enrollee and the prescribing provider before enforcing a substitution; the enrollee or provider may request an exception.

Why it matters: Biologic drugs are expensive and account for a disproportionate share of drug spending. Sen. Weber Pearson told the committee that biosimilars and generics can lower cost without compromising care and that the bill is designed to increase uptake of biosimilars while preserving prescriber…