With new, innovative arthritis medications coming to market, patients with arthritis may soon have access to potentially less expensivebiosimilar medications．这些药物与名牌生物制剂相似，但并非完全相同。
However, imagine that, without your knowledge, your pharmacist substituted the biologic medication prescribed by your doctor with a new interchangeable biosimilar. Residents of Hawaii no longer have to worry because last week, Hawaii Governor David Ige signed a package of bills into law that will, among other things, require communication to the patient and physician when a biosimilar substitution occurs. This will result in a complete and accurate patient medical record, which is vital for monitoring these drugs once they come to market. And, if physicians do not want a substitution to occur, they can stipulate that the prescription be dispensed as written.
“This is another great victory for people who have arthritis,” said Krystin Herr, state director for theArthritis Foundation’s Advocacy & Access program．“在更换药物时，获得这些改变游戏规则的药物，以及进行高水平的沟通，对对抗这种疾病和确保患者能够充分生活至关重要。”
Congratulations to the fantastic Advocates in Hawaii for their work on getting biosimilar substitution legislation signed into law to help the residents of Hawaii living with arthritis have greater access to all medications!