WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressmen Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) and Angie Craig (MN-2) introduced the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2021. The bill would help reduce the cost of prescription drugs by encouraging competition and increasing access to biosimilars.

“We need to do everything we can to make sure Americans have access to the life-saving medicine they need,” said Congressmen Cárdenas. “My bill reduces the cost of expensive prescription drug prices while also encouraging healthy competition in the marketplace. It is unconscionable that in the greatest and wealthiest country in the world, there are working families that are forced to choose between putting food on the table and potentially life-saving medication.”

“Since the day I was elected, reducing the cost of health care and prescription drugs has been a top priority for me as a Member of Congress,” said Congresswoman Craig. “I’m so proud to join Rep. Cárdenas to reintroduce the Access to Biosimilars Act of 2021 to promote competition and expand access to cheaper alternatives – especially for older Minnesotans. And I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to ensure that all Americans have affordable access to the medicines they depend on to stay healthy.”

The Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act creates a new pilot program that will be administered and overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services to explore ways to encourage physicians to prescribe less-expensive biosimilars increasing patient access to more affordable, life-saving drugs. 

The bill is supported by the Biosimilars Forum and Viatris.

“Biosimilars are just as safe and effective as brand name biologics, but cost one-third less. Unfortunately, misaligned incentives are preventing physicians and patients from using lower-cost biosimilars. Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Cárdenas, this common-sense policy can fix this problem and generate health care savings by encouraging biosimilar use and is a win for taxpayers given brand name biologics make up the top ten most expensive drugs in Medicare Part B,” said Meaghan Smith, Executive Director of the Biosimilars Forum.

Congressmen Tony Cárdenas is a member of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health which oversees public health and quarantine; hospital construction; mental health; biomedical research and development; health information technology, privacy, and cybersecurity; public health insurance (Medicare, Medicaid) and private health insurance; medical malpractice and medical malpractice insurance; the regulation of food, drugs, devices, cosmetics, and tobacco (the Food and Drug Administration); drug abuse; the Department of Health and Human Services; the National Institutes of Health; the Centers for Disease Control; Indian Health Service; and all aspects of the above-referenced jurisdiction related to the Department of Homeland Security.

Original source can be found here.