On November 30, ASBM and the Generics and Biosimilars Initiative (GaBI) hosted Interchangeable 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 recent of the webinars, hosted July 29th, examined the negative impact of the Inflation Reducation Act’s Medicare drug price setting provisions. 

Key topics of discussion included:
The importance of the interchangeable designation in building physician confidence in the prescribing and pharmacy substitution of biosimilars

The collaborative efforts by patients, physicians, pharmacists, and other stakeholders nationwide over eight years permitting the automatic substitution of biosimilars, providing they were approved as interchangeable.

The difference between the definitions of interchangeability in Europe and in the U.S.
 Current legislative and administrative proposals that would weaken  the interchangeable designation or eliminate it entirely. 

Speakers included:

Michael Reilly, Esq. – Executive Director, ASBM

Ralph McKibbin, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF – ASBM Chairman

Philip Schneider, MS, FASHP, FFIP – ASBM Advisory Board Chair

Andrew Spiegel, Esq. – Executive Director, Global Colon Cancer Association

Steven Stranne, MD, JD- Partner, Foley Hoag LLP served as moderator of the discussion. 

View a recording of the webinar here.