HJ0035 LRB096 11869 KXB 22800 r

1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is at the center of rapid
3 development of life science discoveries that can fuel a dynamic
4 economic engine for this State; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Biotechnology has played a key role in the
6 emergence of our State as a global leader in the discovery of
7 treatments for diseases that were previously thought
8 untreatable; and
 
9     WHEREAS, The medical value of biotechnology medicines to
10 patients' lives is incalculable; and
 
11     WHEREAS, When the patents on complex biologic drugs expire,
12 it is common for other manufacturers to produce "biosimilar"
13 products; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Given the complexity of biologic drugs, it is
15 widely scientifically accepted that biosimilar products are
16 usually not chemically or therapeutically identical to the
17 original product, and therefore the use of biosimilar products
18 should remain subject to the discretion and professional
19 judgment of the prescribing physician; and
 
20     WHEREAS, The legislature also wishes to ensure that federal

 

 

HJ0035 - 2 - LRB096 11869 KXB 22800 r

1 legislation adequately protects patient safety; and
 
2     WHEREAS, The discovery and development of biologics is
3 expensive and time-consuming, and federal legislation to allow
4 for the arrival of biosimilars should preserve appropriate
5 financial incentives for innovation; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The legislature wishes to ensure that our State's
7 biotechnology industry remains economically viable while
8 producing needed innovative therapies for patients; and
 
9     WHEREAS, The legislature recognizes that the approval of
10 biosimilars may provide cost savings for patients and represent
11 an additional option for health care treatment for our State's
12 residents; therefore, be it
 
13     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
15 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the United States
16 Congress to help ensure that any new legislation allowing for
17 approval of biosimilar drugs includes provisions to ensure that
18 the public health is protected by adequate testing of
19 biosimilars and physician control over which treatments their
20 patients receive, and that the legislation preserves the
21 ability to create innovative and important new biotechnology
22 therapies; and be it further
 

 

 

HJ0035 - 3 - LRB096 11869 KXB 22800 r

1     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2 delivered to each member of Illinois' congressional
3 delegation.