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Statement from the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) on the Administrations Executive Order Implementing MFN Pricing May 15, 2025 The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) opposes the Administrations May 12, 2025 Executive Order establishing Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing for prescription drugs. This approach would import foreign price controls from countries where patients wait longer and have less access to the newest, most effective treatments.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2025 Arlington, VA The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) today expressed its support and gratitude to Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ted Budd (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), James Lankford (R-OK), and Steve Daines (R-MT) for their leadership in introducing the Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures (EPIC) Act (S. 832) March 4 th.
April 21, 2025 The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) commends President Donald J. Trump for his leadership in issuing an executive orde r to address the harmful pill penalty contained within the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This provision, enacted during the Biden administration, imposes price controls on small-molecule medicinescommonly delivered in pill or tablet formjust nine years after FDA approval, while granting biological medicines a longer 13-year timeline for manufacturers
April 29, 2025 The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) commends Senator Bill Cassidy and the Senate HELP Committee for their new report , “Congress Must Act to Bring Needed Reforms to the 340B Program.” The program is designed to support underserved populations by ensuring access to medicines by allowing qualifying entities to safety-net hospitals, community health centers, and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to purchase outpatient drugs at discounted prices and re
By Michael Reilly, Executive Director, Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) In a recent CBS News interview, newly appointed FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary called for more robust clinical evidence before recommending the latest COVID-19 booster shots. Theres a void of data, Dr. Makary said, underscoring a renewed focus on restoring public trust through a commitment to rigorous, evidence-based evaluation.
On February 20th, Philip Schneider, ASBM Advisory Board Chair, taught a 2-hour class at the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy that examined how recent and proposed biosimilar policy changes may impact pharmacy practice within the biopharmaceutical industry. The module examined three current policy issues related to biosimilars: The likely negative impact of the Inflation Reduction Act’s price-setting on biosimilar development and commercialization; Proposed legislation (such as las
On February 25th, ASBM’s Immediate Past Chair Madelaine Feldman, MD FACR joined Members of Congress and other high-profile supporters of PBM reform at a Congressional event urging leadership to include critical bipartisan PBM reform legislation in the anticipated March funding package. The event, titled “Finish the Job! Pass PBM Reform Now” included welcome remarks from Rep.
On February 22nd, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the resulution of a years-long shortage of semaglutide, the key ingredient in popular GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes medications Ozempic amd Wegovy. Both drugs have been on the FDAs drug shortage list since 2022. During the shortage, compounding pharmacies were permitted to increase patient access to these medications by compounding their own version.
A recent IQVIA report funded by the generics industry trade group Association for Accessible Medicines is propagating several misleading claims about interchangeable biosimilars. ASBM has frequently addressed misinformation efforts about interchangeablity biosimilars in recent months, to correct the record and reinforce the rigorous FDA standards now protecting patient safety and treatment stability.
On February 25th, the House of Representatives introduced the Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures (EPIC) Act (H.R. 1492) an important step toward fixing the Inflation Reduction Acts (IRA) small molecule pill penalty. Small-molecule drugs typically come in pill or tablet form, and comprise 90% of prescriptions filled in the U.S. The Senate introduced its companion bill, S. 832 , on March 4th.
ASBM Statement on CMS Announcement of 15 Additional Drugs Subject to Government Price Controls On January 17th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an additional 15 drugs that will be subject to price controls under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This expansion continues a flawed policy that threatens innovation and jeopardizes patient access to critical treatments, including drugs vital for cancer treatment and popular new weight loss medications that have trans
Click below to read ASBM member WeWorkForHealth’s Fact Sheet on the effects of the IRA’s “Pill Penalty”, also known as the “Small-Molecule Penalty”, which disincentivizes R&D on chemically-derived medicines used to treat many serious conditions like cancer and heart disease: Click below to view
Michael Reilly in RealClearHealth: Don’t Let a “Lame Duck” Congress Gamble with Patient Health On December 20th, RealClearHealth published an op-ed by ASBM Executive Director Michael Reilly discussing concerns that the Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act would lower standards for biosimilar medications. The opinion highlights concerns that this bill might be included in the end of year continuing resolution bill, without properly considering the impacts on patients.
Press Release ARLINGTON, Va., December 9, 2024 (Newswire.com) – As the Senate moves this week to advance passage of the misleadingly named Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act (S. 2035), the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) reiterates its opposition to the self-interested efforts of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), which strongly supports this bill that prioritizes insurance company and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) profits over patient safety and maintaini
SAVE THE DATE: ASBM and GaBI to Present Webinar on the Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act October 31st On October 31st, ASBM and the Generics and Biosimilar Initiative will present a webinar focusing Senate Bill 2305, the Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act. Health policy experts will review current U.S. biosimilar approval and substitution policies, discuss the rationale behind them, and examine the potential consequences of the proposed changes.
Lower med standards endangers health Altoona Mirror Opinion Oct 2, 2024 Dr. Ralph McKibbin As a practicing physician in Pennsylvania, I firmly believe that the relationship between a doctor and their patient should guide every treatment decision. When physicians recommend treatments, we rely on years of training, clinical evidence, and the unique medical history of each patient.
U.S. Physicians Overwhelmingly Support Current FDA Data Standards, Switching Studies for Interchangeable Biosimilars; Oppose Pharmacy Substitution of Non-Interchangeable Biosimilars FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 4, 2024 Arlington, VA- U.S. physicians overwhelmingly support maintaining the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) current data standards for interchangeable biosimilars and oppose treating all biosimilars as interchangeable with the originator biologic medicines they c
On August 20th, ASBM submitted comments on the FDA draft guidance for industry entitled “Considerations for Demonstrating Interchangeability with a Reference Product: Update”, published June 20th. This draft guidance describes considerations regarding a switching study or studies intended to support a demonstration that a biological product is interchangeable with a reference product.
In August, ASBM released an updated fact sheet on Senate Bill S. 2305 “the Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act”, sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), shoing how physicians overwhelmingly oppose its provisions. From the Fact Sheet: U.S. Physicians Strongly Oppose Pharmacy Substitution of Non-Interchangeable Biosimilars While 89% of U.S. physicians are confident in the safety and efficacy of biosimilars, 69% also say the physician and patient should determine which biologic to use, not a
Prioritize Patient Treatment Stability, Physician Confidence Michael Reilly September 25, 2024 Biologic medicines have revolutionized the treatment of serious chronic diseases including, arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and cancer. Nearly 10 years ago, the FDA approved the first “biosimilar” – a copycat medicine highly similar, but not identical to a previously-approved biologic.
ASBM Whitepaper: Misinformation About Interchangeable Biosimilars Undermines US Health Policy, Physician Confidence, and Patient Health On July 16th, GaBI Journal published a whitepaper authored by ASBM Chairman Ralph McKibbin, MD and Executive Director Michael Reilly, which underscores the critical role of the FDA’s interchangeable biosimilar data requirements in maintaining the safety and efficacy of biosimilar substitutions.
ASCO 2024: ASBM Releases Resource Guide for Cancer Patients on IRA’s Impact on R&D, Access From May 31st – June 4th, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) held its Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. ASBM was well represented at the conference, with several member groups were in attendance including the International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN), and the Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA).
WASHINGTON, July 16, 2024 – The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) announces the publication of a paper underscoring the critical role of the FDA’s interchangeable biosimilar data requirements in maintaining the safety and efficacy of biosimilar substitutions. Titled “Misinformation about interchangeable biosimilars undermines US health policy, physician confidence, and patient health,” the paper discusses the successes of the FDA’s data-driven approach in building physicia
On March 19th, ASBM presented to the World Health Organization International Nonpropretary Names (INN) Expert Group at the 78th Consultation on International Non-proprietary Names for Pharmaceutical Substances (INN), held in Geneva, Switzerland on October 18th, 2023. ASBM was represented at the session by Executive Director Michael Reilly, Esq., and Advisory Board Chair Philip Schneider, MS, FASHP.
On April 30, ASBM submitted comments to the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA’s ) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) as part of a public consultation period on the Agency’s “Concept paper for the development of a Reflection Paper on a tailored clinical approach in Biosimilar development” The document expresses the EMA’s intent to streamline biosimilar development by reevaluating the role of clinical safety and efficacy data.
In early April ASBM Chairman Ralph McKibbin joined with the Pennsylvania Nonmedical Switching Coalition to meet with members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Insurance committee to answer questions and advocate regarding the impact of nonmedical switching on patients in the state. PA State Senate bill 348 amends the Unfair Insurance Practices Act to prevent nonmedical switching and a House companion bill is pending.
In an April interview with EndpointsNews , an FDA official called on Congress to eliminate the distinction between biosimilars (which can be prescribed in place of their reference products by a physician) and “interchangeable” biosimilars, which can be substituted by pharmacists the way generics are. Doing so would undermine physician confidence in biosimilars and jeopardize treatment stability for many patients, according to ASBM’s Executive Director, Michael Reilly in a r esponse p
ASBM’s Michael Reilly: Preserve the US Interchangeable Standard that Has Helped Drive Physician and Patient Confidence in Biosimilars In an April interview with EndpointsNews , an FDA official called on Congress to eliminate the distinction between biosimilars (which can be prescribed in place of their reference products by a physician) and “interchangeable” biosimilars, which can be substituted by pharmacists the way generics are.
Biden Administration HHS Budget Would Permit Third-Party Substitution of All Biosimilars On March 11th, the Biden Administration released its FY25 HHS Budget. In response, ASBM Executive Director Michael Reilly published a blog post sharing his concerns with the Administration’s proposal to permit widespread automatic (pharmacy-level) substitution of all biosimilars in place of their reference products; without physician approval or FDA evaluation as current law requires.
by Michael Reilly, ASBM Executive Director The Biden Administration’s FY25 Budget, unveiled on March 11, 2024, takes aim at prescription drug costs but misses the mark and hurts rather than helps patients. Again. (Read my concerns with the Administration’s Medicare Part D price-setting system here). This latest proposal would loosen the review criteria for some biologics and shift treatment decisions out of the hands of doctors.
EMA Seeks Public Comment on Re-evaluating the Need for Clinical Safety and Efficacy Data in Biosimilar Development On January 25, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA’s ) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) released a document entitled “Concept paper for the development of a Reflection Paper on a tailored clinical approach in Biosimilar development” The document expresses the EMA’s intent to streamline biosimilar development by re-evaluating
In January, the Generics and Biosimilars Initiative (GaBI) published a whitepaper entitled “ Medicare Drug Price Negotiations: Impact on Healthcare Development and Patient Access to Medicines” The paper’s content is drawn from a webinar on the same topic hosted by ASBM and GaBI on July 26, 2023. It examines the likely negative effects of IRA’s price negotiation provisions, which allow the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to negotiate prices of certain costly drugs, in
On January 25, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA’s ) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) released a document entitled “Concept paper for the development of a Reflection Paper on a tailored clinical approach in Biosimilar development” The document expresses the EMA’s intent to streamline biosimilar development by re-evaluating the role of clinical safety and efficacy data; it also announces a three-month public consultation period running from Fe
On January 31st, ASBM released a fact sheet describing a variety of proposed policy changes at the state and federal level which would weaken the interchangeable biosimilar standard, or circumvent the patient protections it provides. These include new bills and regulations at the federal level, as well as state legislation and proposals which threaten to undermine the hard-won gains of the patient and physician communities to ensure that only interchangeable biosimilars are substituted without p
ASBM Records Podcast on Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Setting In December, ASBM and its member organization AI Arthritis recorded an episode of the AiArthritis 360 Voices podcast examining how the IRA’s changes to the popular and highly successful Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit will negatively impact patients in coming years.
On December 13, Oregon’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) met to consider – and ultimately rejected – a proposal to permit the automatic substitution of non-interchangeable biosimilars; that is, the substitution at the pharmacy level of a biosimilar without prescriber involvement. The automatic substitution of biosimilars is a controversial practice, banned in many countries including nearly all of Western Europe.
In November, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a Proposed Rule that would permit Medicare Part D plan sponsors to substitute non-interchangeable biosimilars in place of the biologic medicines now used to treat many chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and cancer. Read ASBM’s statement on the announcement here.
From November 12-14, ASBM exhibited at Booth #2612 at ACR Convergence 2023 in San Diego, CA. ACR Convergence is hosted annually by the American College of Rheumatology and is considered the premier meeting for rheumatology professionals globally. ASBM was represented at the booth by Executive Director Michael Reilly, Advisory Board Chair Philip Schneider, and Programs Director Ray Patnaude.
ASBM and GaBI Webinar Examines Policy Challenges to Interchangeable Biosimilars On November 30, ASBM and the Generics and Biosimilars Initiative (GaBI) hosted I nterchangeable Designation for Biosimilars- Ensuring Continuity of Patient Care: Upholding Interchangeability Status for Biosimilars. The webinar was the fourth in a series covering key health policy issues.
On November 30, ASBM and the Generics and Biosimilars Initiative (GaBI) hosted I nterchangeable Designation for Biosimilars- Ensuring Continuity of Patient Care: Upholding Interchangeability Status for Biosimilars. The webinar was the fourth in a series covering key health policy issues. The most recen t of the webinars, hosted July 29th, examined the negative impact of the Inflation Reducation Act’s Medicare drug price setting provisions.
On November 17th, ASBM submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on draft guidance released in September by the FDA. The guidance removed the interchangeability statement from the product label/package insert of interchangeable biosimilars. Under U.S. state law, only interchangeable biosimilars may be substituted by a pharmacist without contacting the prescriber.
ASBM Statement: In Shocking Reversal, CMS Wants to Allow Medicare Part D Plan Sponsors to Substitute Non-Interchangeable Biosimilars On November 6, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposed Rule that would permit Medicare Part D plan sponsors to substitute non-interchangeable biosimilars in place of the biologic medicines now used to treat many chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and cancer.
In November, ASBM released two fact sheets on interchangeable biosimilars. Download them here: Physician Perspectives on Interchangeable Biosimilars Interchangeable Biosimilars: Comparing Europe and the U.S.
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