ASBM Submits Comments on Health Canada’s Biosimilar Handbook for HCPs On April 29th, ASBM submitted comments to Health Canada as part of a stakeholder consultation on its draft Handbook for healthcare professionals on biosimilar biologic drugs. ASBM’s comments focused on the Handbook’s mixed messaging surrounding biosimilar equivalence and switching, including language which implies inaccurately that Canada’s […]
Health Canada Opens Consultation on Biosimilar Handbook for Healthcare Professionals Health Canada has opened a consultation on its draft Handbook for healthcare professionals on biosimilar biologic drugs. This publication was developed for the purpose of informing and educating healthcare professionals in Canada regarding biosimilars. The handbook was developed in consultation with a working group composed of […]
ASBM Urges Reform on Copay Accumulator Adjustments On January 27th, ASBM joined other patient advocacy organizations and physician groups in submitting a coalition letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging the Department to prohibit the practice of copay accumulator adjustment policies. The coalition letter was submitted as part of the comment period […]
ASBM Shares Physician Perspectives on Non-Medical Switching In February, ASBM released our latest video, “Non-Medical Switching”, featuring ASBM Chairman Ralph McKibbin, MD. In the video, Dr. McKibbin shares new data from ASBM’s recent survey of 401 U.S. prescribers of biologics, as well as his own observations on the controversial practice. Among the survey findings: 69% […]
OSU College of Pharmacy Launches ASBM-Developed CE Course on Biologics and Biosimilars The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy is now offering a 1-hour Continuing Education (CE) course entitled Biologics and Biosimilars: and Introduction. The course is presented by OSU professor and ASBM Advisory Board Chair Philip Schneider, FASHP, FFIP. The course is […]
ASBM Letter to Congress: Paying Physicians to Prescribe Government-Preferred Biosimilars Undermines Patient-Physician Relationship On December 2nd, ASBM sent a letter to House leaders reiterating our opposition to a proposal that would undermine the patient-physician relationship and distort the making of treatment decisions. The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules has released new language […]
House Bill Would Distort Treatment Decisions, Undermine Physician-Patient Relationship The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules has released new language for H.R. 5376 containing a provision that would pay physicians a 33% bonus for prescribing their patient the government-preferred biosimilar. The bill calls for a “temporary increase in Medicare Part B payments for certain biosimilars,” […]
ASBM Welcomes Ralph McKibbin, MD as Chairman In a Full Member Call September 9th, ASBM introduced gastroenterologist Ralph McKibbin, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF as the organization’s incoming chairman. Dr. McKibbin began his three year term on September 1st, succeeding outgoing chair Madelaine Feldman, MD, FACR. Dr. McKibbin is the fourth chairman since ASBM was […]
Madelaine Feldman Completes Term as ASBM Chair On August 31st, ASBM Chair Madelaine Feldman, MD, FACR completed her term as ASBM Chair. ASBM Executive Director Michael Reilly praised Dr. Feldman’s leadership: Dr. Feldman led ASBM during a difficult time, keeping ASBM engaged on important biosimilar policy issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. As […]
Minnesota Budget Passes Without Biosimilar Provisions On June 29th, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed his state’s HHS Omnibus budget for 2022-2023. The legislature had considered but ultimately rejected language aimed at boosting uptake of biosimilars – provisions which many patient groups believed might inadvertently increase out-of-pocket costs. Since April, ASBM and other organizations including […]
