Biosimilars Forum Issues Statement on Proposed Part B Drug Payment Model
Washington, DC, March 16, 2016 – The Biosimilars Forum – the nonprofit organization solely dedicated to expanding patient access to biosimilars in the United States is thoroughly reviewing a Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model proposed rule released on March 8 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The Forum intends to submit comments by the May 9 comment deadline.
Upon initial review, the Biosimilars Forum is troubled with the model and the agency’s failure to obtain meaningful input from patients, physicians, and other stakeholders prior to designing it. The model has broad implications to patients’ access to Medicare Part B covered drugs, including biosimilars.
The model could significantly change the reimbursement landscape at a time that CMS has already advanced a policy that is detrimental to the biosimilars market. The CMS has advanced a rule that has multiple biosimilars being grouped and issued the same J-code potentially resulting in fewer biosimilars being introduced in the United States. We believe this may ultimately result in fewer treatment options for health care professionals and patients suffering from life threatening illnesses in need of medicines.
The Biosimilars Forum urges CMS to consider input from patients, physicians, and other stakeholders before advancing a demonstration.
About the Biosimilars Forum
The Biosimilars Forum is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance biosimilars in the United States with the intent of expanding access and availability of biological medicines, and improving health care. The founding members of the Biosimilars Forum represent the majority of companies with the most significant U.S. biosimilars development portfolios.
To learn more about biosimilars, the Forum, and how to get involved, visit BiosimilarsForum.org or go to @USbiosimilars to follow related conversations and join the dialogue.
Contact:
Aimee Steel
202.828.1895
aimee.steel@hklaw.com
Media:
Lynn Blenkhorn
508.851.0930
biosimilars@fkhealth.com