Gina Strine

From: Matthew Baker Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 12:16 PM To: Gina Strine Subject: FW: RetireSafe Statement in Support of Senate Bill 405 and House Bill 746

From: Thair Phillips [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 11:37 AM To: Matthew Baker; Becky Corbin; ; ; ; Mauree Gingrich; ; ; Rob Kauffman; John Lawrence; Justin Simmons; ; Marcy Toepel; ; Florinda Fabrizio; [email protected]; Vanessa Brown; James Clay; [email protected]; [email protected]; ; Michael O'Brien; [email protected]; ; Patricia Vance; Elisabeth J. Baker; Edwin Erickson; Scott Hutchinson; Bob Mensch; Joe Scarnati; Kim Ward; [email protected]; [email protected]; Rob Teplitz; [email protected] Subject: RetireSafe Statement in Support of Pennsylvania Senate Bill 405 and House Bill 746 Retire Scanding up for Amcri~a,s Seniors!

September 10, 2013

RetireSafe Statement in Support of Pennsylvania Senate Bill405 and House Bill746

RetireSafe President & CEO Thair Phillips released the following statement:

RetireSafe is a grassroots organization advocating for the health and well-being of millions of older Americans. As more seniors fmd themselves battling chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, arthritis and respiratory illnesses, we believe strongly that policymakers must enact sensible, compassionate public policies that will allow for the highest levels of access, affordability and safety for medicines for older Americans.

For that reason, we strongly endorse and urge the PeiUlsylvania legislature to approve SB 405 and HB 746, legislation that will establish a process for the safe substitution of interchangeable biosimilars. These state-of-the-art medicines are effectively attacking severe chronic illnesses and changing lives for the better, but these benefits should not be limited to those who can afford the often-high costs of brand name biologic drugs.

We support these measures because they create a process for increased access, while at the same time, protecting patient safety. SB 405 and HB 746 state that biosimilars can only be substituted for original biologics if the Food and Drug Administration has certified their interchangeability. RetireSafe strongly supports this safeguard, as it is critical for older Americans managing multiple medications and conditions.

We also endorse the provisions in SB 405 and HB 746 that call for physicians and patients to be notified when an interchangeable biosimilar has been substituted for an original biologic. In cases involving chronic disease, doctors and

1 their older patients go to great pains to identify the most effective therapies for the individual patient's condition. Because biosimilars cannot be exact copies of biologics, notification of prescribing physicians and patients is essential.

When biosimilars are available to patients in the next one to two years, they will represent a lifeline to seniors whose health and wellness hinges on affordable, accessible medications. On behalf of the seniors we represent all across Pennsylvania, we urge you to pass SB 405 and HB 746.

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