HJ0035 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0035 LRB096 11869 KXB 22800 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is at the center of rapid development of life science discoveries that can fuel a dynamic economic engine for this State; and

WHEREAS, Biotechnology has played a key role in the emergence of our State as a global leader in the discovery of treatments for diseases that were previously thought untreatable; and

WHEREAS, The medical value of biotechnology medicines to patients' lives is incalculable; and

WHEREAS, When the patents on complex biologic drugs expire, it is common for other manufacturers to produce "biosimilar" products; and

WHEREAS, Given the complexity of biologic drugs, it is widely scientifically accepted that biosimilar products are usually not chemically or therapeutically identical to the original product, and therefore the use of biosimilar products should remain subject to the discretion and professional judgment of the prescribing physician; and

WHEREAS, The legislature also wishes to ensure that federal legislation adequately protects patient safety; and

WHEREAS, The discovery and development of biologics is expensive and time-consuming, and federal legislation to allow for the arrival of biosimilars should preserve appropriate financial incentives for innovation; and

WHEREAS, The legislature wishes to ensure that our State's biotechnology industry remains economically viable while producing needed innovative therapies for patients; and

WHEREAS, The legislature recognizes that the approval of biosimilars may provide cost savings for patients and represent an additional option for health care treatment for our State's residents; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the United States Congress to help ensure that any new legislation allowing for approval of biosimilar drugs includes provisions to ensure that the public health is protected by adequate testing of biosimilars and physician control over which treatments their patients receive, and that the legislation preserves the ability to create innovative and important new biotechnology therapies; and be it further

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