TO MANDATE THE USE OF BIOSIMILAR MEDICINES UNDER HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS; TO REQUIRE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO PRESCRIBE BIOSIMILAR MEDICINES; AND TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO BIOSIMILAR MEDICINES.

Senate Bill 140 aims to mandate the use of biosimilar medicines by health benefit plans and require healthcare providers to prescribe them, intending to improve access for patients. The bill includes an exception for "limited distribution drugs," defined as complex, high-cost, or safety-concern medications restricted by manufacturers to specific pharmacies. For these specific drugs, the mandate for biosimilar use would not apply. Additionally, the bill adjusts timelines for certain actions to occur "within a reasonable amount of time" and specifies that involved pharmacies must be accredited.