Fla. bill allows biosimilar, branded substitution

A new bill (HB 365) in Florida's state legislature would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars for branded biotech drugs, according to published reports. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that the Health Quality Subcommittee of the Florida House of Representatives approved a bill that would allow for substitution while requiring pharmacists to notify prescribing physicians within five days and require the doctor and pharmacist to maintain a record for at least four years. A similar bill (SB 732) is pending in the Florida Senate, according to reports.

According to the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, Florida is 1-of-10 states where biosimilar legislation is pending. Other states include Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Dakota, Texas, Virginia and Washington.