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# Pew Issues Biologics Q&A
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/pew-issues-biologics-q-a/
- Published: 2016-03-03T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T02:40:40.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5134952

> The Pew Charitable Trusts has issued a question-and-answer [paper](http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/q-and-a/2016/03/biologic-and-biosimilar-drugs-how-federal-and-state-policy-will-affect-their-use?ref=fdaweb.com) on biologics and biosimilars. The paper says that biosimilars “present unique challenges to policymakers looking to control healthcare costs while providing patients with needed medications.” Questions presented in the paper are:  
> How do biologic drugs differ from conventional pharmaceuticals? What are biosimilars? How do biosimilars differ from generic versions of conventional drugs? How will biosimilars be named? Why does biosimilar naming matter? How will FDA determine when a biosimilar is interchangeable? Can pharmacists substitute biosimilars in the same way as conventional generic drugs? Are these state provisions necessary to protect patients? What are the implications of state laws restricting substitution?