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State Representative Steve Huffman
Ohio House
Passes Bill Increasing Access to Biological Drugs
HB 505 aimed at reducing cost of prescription medications
COLUMBUS—Today, the Ohio House passed legislation that allows
pharmacists to substitute biologically similar products, or
“biosimilars,” for any biological product prescribed by a physician.
This is a similar concept to a consumer obtaining a generic
prescription medication rather than a more expensive brand name drug.
Biologics are a protein-based drug derived from living cells cultured
in a laboratory and are given by injection or intravenous (IV)
infusion. Due to the complex structure of a biologic, they are not
easily identified or characterized, making them difficult and costly to
duplicate precisely.
House Bill 505, sponsored by State Representatives Dorothy Pelanda
(R-Marysville) and Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City), will allow a pharmacist
to provide a biosimilar drug, which is a similar copy of a biologic
drug, so long as the FDA has deemed the biologic “interchangeable.”
“This legislation will give choices to patients, physicians, and health
plans for their FDA-approved medications,” said Rep. Huffman. “It
will also save millions for both Medicaid and private insurance.”
According to the bill sponsors, these biological medications can cost
$1,000 to $10,000 per month to treat life threatening diseases such as
cancer, diabetes and MS. By allowing a biosimilar to be provided by the
pharmacists, it can cost the consumer 20 to 30 percent less than their
corresponding brand name biologic.
With pharmacists being able to substitute these interchangeable drugs,
Pelanda says consumers and the state of Ohio can save significant
amounts of money, especially for citizens on Medicaid and Medicare.
“House Bill 505 accomplishes the goal of allowing pharmaceutical costs
to come down with these interchangeable products and I applaud the
House for passing this important measure today,” Rep. Pelanda stated.
Ultimately, HB 505 aims to increase competition among pharmaceutical
companies in an effort to reduce drug costs for patients and provide
more treatment options.
The bill now awaits consideration by the Ohio Senate.
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