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Letter to the Editor: Strengthen area families – and support dreams – with donation to the Family Service Association

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Letter to the Editor: Circus elephant encounter leaves a gentle imprint

<p>I am writing to thank our Pennsylvania senators for passing Senate Bill 514 and to encourage our representatives to do the same. This bill updates the state&#8217;s antiquated generic drug laws to make possible the safe introduction of biosimilar biologic drugs into the Pennsylvania marketplace.</p><p>Biologics are new drugs derived from organic material and used to treat debilitating illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and arthritis. Biosimilars, as the name suggests, are drugs that are similar to a biologic but, nonetheless, different. Because of the difference between biosimilars and biologics, it becomes necessary to treat them differently than a conventional generic drug.</p><p>That&#8217;s where Senate Bill 514 comes in. This bill requires physician notification wherever a pharmacist substitutes a biosimilar for a biologic. Because these drugs are new and can have different side effects, this is a common-sense measure that must be incorporated into Pennsylvania law if we are to truly account for patient safety, while giving our physicians every tool available to them to combat illness.</p><p><strong>Len Brown</strong></p><p>Old Forge</p><style>
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Letter to the Editor: Pennsylvania’s ‘antiquated generic drug law’ due for update