FDA Eases Path for Cheaper Biosimilar Drugs

The government wants to help make cheaper drugs. These drugs can help people with serious diseases. The FDA wants to make rules easier for these drugs.

Biologic drugs come from living cells, not chemicals. They help treat many diseases but are expensive. These drugs have helped with problems like cancer and immune issues.

Drug companies said their drugs were too hard to copy. In 2010, a new law asked FDA to approve similar drugs. These similar drugs are called “biosimilar” versions of the originals.

The FDA made rules in 2015 for making biosimilar drugs. The new plan wants to make these rules easier. The government says the old rules used too many resources.

Easier rules will mean more competition and lower prices. People will have faster access to important drugs. Biosimilar drugs have lowered prices for some patients already.