CMPI to Host Hill Briefing Tomorrow on Follow-on Biologic Drugs for Media and Congressional...

CMPI to Host Hill Briefing Tomorrow on Follow-on Biologic Drugs for Media and
Congressional Staff With Reps. Eshoo and Rogers

Event Focused on Ensuring Patient Safety is Top Priority of Follow-on Biologic
Legislation Being Debated on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, July 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15th,
on Capitol Hill, the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest will host a
briefing followed by a question-and-answer session for media and Congressional
Staff entitled: "A Follow-on Biologics Legislation Update; Congressional
Leaders and Medical Experts Discuss Patient Safety." The event will be
co-hosted by two high-ranking members of the House Energy and Commerce
Committee, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Congressman Mike Rogers (R-MI).
The Representatives are lead sponsors of bipartisan legislation to modernize
the regulatory pathway for Food and Drug Association approval of follow-on
biologics.

Representative Eshoo's legislation: H.R. 1548, the Pathway for Biosimilars Act
ensures that new standards for testing will make certain that follow-on
biologic drugs are both safe and effective. The bill currently has 108
cosponsors and has the broadest bipartisan support of any legislation designed
to regulate follow-on biologics.

"CMPI applauds Representatives Eshoo's and Rogers' commitment to ensuring
patient safety is the top-priority for follow-on biologics legislation," said
Robert Goldberg of CMPI. "The next few weeks are going to be a pivotal time in
Congress as health care takes top billing in the House and the Senate. It is
critical that advocates for safe and effective follow-on biologics do all they
can to support Representative Eshoo's legislation. Representatives Eshoo's and
Rogers' dedication to ensuring FDA takes the appropriate steps to ensure the
safety of patients could mean the difference between health and illness for
millions of Americans."

Also speaking at the event will be former Congressman Mike Ferguson; Dr. Geno
Merli, Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Thomas Jefferson
University, and Director, Jefferson Center for Vascular Diseases; and John F.
Crowley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amicus Therapeutics. All
three will help highlight the importance of balancing cost reduction and the
well-being of patients in the follow-on biologics debate, bringing their
unique experiences and perspectives directly to Hill staffers.
WHO: Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Representative Mike Rogers (R-MI),
Leading Medical Experts

WHAT: Briefing for media and Congressional staff

WHEN: Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15th, 12-1 p.m.

WHERE: Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Building 3rd Floor,
Washington, D.C.

WHY: A Follow-On Biologics Legislation Update; Congressional Leaders
and Medical Experts Discuss Patient Safety

Those interested in attending this event can RSVP via email to Meryl Reichbach
at mreichbach@cmpi.org or by calling her at 212-417-9169.

About CMPI
The Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, a non-profit public policy
group dedicated to research-based free market reforms for the health care
industry.

SOURCE CMPI

Meryl Reichbach of CMPI, +1-212-417-9169, mreichbach@cmpi.org