May 19, 2026
On May 15, ASBM submitted comments to the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board urging it not to impose an upper payment limit (UPL) on Cosentyx unless the Board can demonstrate that the policy will directly reduce patient out-of-pocket costs without disrupting access to treatment. ASBM emphasized that a UPL would reduce the amount paid by […]
March 26, 2026
ASBM recently submitted a letter opposing California Senate Bill 1094, which would permit generic-style pharmacy-level substitution of non-interchangeable biosimilars. While biosimilars are safe and effective, they are not generics—and substitution decisions for biologics should remain grounded in evidence, physician judgment, and patient-specific considerations. California’s current framework appropriately allows substitution only for biosimilars that meet the […]
December 20, 2023
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 […]
November 5, 2017
On Monday, October 23rd, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed biosimilars legislation (S.4788A/A.7509A) regarding the pharmacy substitution of interchangeable biosimilar medical products—a measure ASBM and others have pursued in New York over the past two years. New York is now the 36th state to pass biosimilars substitution legislation. This law (Chapter 357 of the Laws of 2017) […]
November 5, 2017
On Monday, October 23rd, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed biosimilars legislation (S.4788A/A.7509A) regarding the pharmacy substitution of interchangeable biosimilar medical products—a measure ASBM and others have pursued in New York over the past two years. New York is now the 36th state to pass biosimilars substitution legislation. This law (Chapter 357 of the Laws of 2017) […]
November 18, 2016
Philip J. Schneider, MS FASHP Associate Dean, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy ASBM Advisory Board Chair This past weekend it was my honor to participate in a continuing education course for 100 New York pharmacists on the topic of biologic medicines and biosimilars, including safety and regulatory considerations which affect pharmacy practice. The 5-hour […]
November 18, 2016
Philip J. Schneider, MS FASHP Associate Dean, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy ASBM Advisory Board Chair This past weekend it was my honor to participate in a continuing education course for 100 New York pharmacists on the topic of biologic medicines and biosimilars, including safety and regulatory considerations which affect pharmacy practice. The 5-hour […]
October 6, 2016
On September 30th, An op-ed appeared in the Detroit News, authored by Marcia Horn, President and CEO of the International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN), an ASBM Steering Committee member. Ms. Horn discusses how legislation permitting biosimilar substitution could help Michigan patients. Similar legislation has been passed in 25 states and Puerto Rico. A key provision […]
September 15, 2016
On September 15th, 2016, ASBM held an educational forum at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USciences). The program drew 50 attendees comprised of pharmacists, faculty members, pharmacy students. The program began with an introduction to biosimilars from USciences Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Dr. Zhiyu Li. Dr. Li is Director of Undergraduate Pharmacology/Toxicology Program, where he […]
September 15, 2016
A Picture is worth a thousand words… Why Memorable Names are preferred by Pharmacists by Philip Schneider, MS FASHP Associate Dean, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy ASBM Advisory Board Chair Yesterday, I was in Philadelphia with a group of about 50 pharmacy students and faculty speaking about biosimilars and the role they do play and […]
