What are biosimilar medications?
A biosimilar medication is a type of biologic medication. A biologic medication is a medicine formed by living cells or organisms, like plant or animal cells.
Many biologic medications have corresponding biosimilar medications (known as biosimilars) that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved as being as effective as the original biologic medication, and that are often at a lower cost. These biosimilars are made from the same material as the biologic medications, with only minor differences. The FDA reviews these minor differences to ensure the biosimilars are as safe and effective as the biologic medication to which they correspond.
Why is it important for employees to know about biosimilars?
Often times, biosimilars have a lower cost than the biologic medication that they were created to mimic. A patient may switch to a biosimilar because of a change in insurance coverage or because the patient wants to save money. Similar to generic medications, the lower cost of the biosimilar is not a reflection of the medication’s effectiveness or safety.
What conditions do biosimilars treat?
Biosimilars are used to treat many conditions, including the following:
- psoriasis,
- irritable bowel disorder,
- diabetes,
- macular degeneration,
- arthritis,
- some cancers,
- and more.
How are biosimilars administered?
Biosimilars are given the same way as the biologic medication they correspond to, and have the same strength, dosage, treatment benefits, and side effects of these biologic medications, as well.
More information
For more information on what biosimilars are, visit the FDA website. For information about whether you qualify for a biosimilar, contact your healthcare provider and insurance company.
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