“Congress is considering two bills that could make practicing medicine in the U.S. a much riskier business. Both bills pertain to state-of-the-art drugs known as biologics. Unlike conventional pharmaceuticals, which are created using simple chemical compounds, biologics are created from living organisms. They have proven to be some of the best treatments available for debilitating illnesses like cancer and multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, they are also some of the priciest. That’s why there’s a push to expedite the release of imitation, or ‘follow-on,’ biologics. The way Congress sees it, since conventional generic drugs cost about 70 percent less than brand-name pharmaceuticals, follow-on biologics could deliver the same benefits as brand-name biologics at a much lower price. But it’s not that simple.” (08/31/08)