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Name In A Frame
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Fast Facts for Patients

Understanding Biosimilars & Your Health
  1. What is a Biosimilar?
    1. A biosimilar is a medication that is highly similar to another already-approved treatment, made to treat the same condition in the same way.
    2. It is not a generic, but it is approved by the FDA as safe and effective.
    3. It works just like the original treatment, often at a lower cost.
  2. Why Do Names Matter?
    1. Medications often have scientific names (like “adalimumab”) and brand names (which are created by the manufacturer).
    2. Different manufacturers may create different brands of the same biosimilar medication. These are not name changes—they are simply different brand versions of the same medicine.
    3. For example, just like you can buy bottled water from different companies, biosimilar medications may come under different brand names—but the core treatment remains the same.
    4. What’s important is what the medication does, not which company made it.
  3. Biosimilars Can Mean Better Access
    1. Biosimilars are part of efforts to make expensive treatments more affordable and more available.
    2. Insurance companies often cover biosimilars because they cost less while working just as well.
    3. This means more people can get the treatment they need—without delays or denials.
  4. It’s About What the Medication Does, Not What It’s Called
    1. Imagine needing a good pair of sneakers to support your feet. You don’t need a specific brand—you need something that works.
    2. It’s the same with medications. The goal is to treat your condition safely and effectively, no matter what the name on the bottle says.
  5. You Deserve Confidence in Your Care
    1. If you’re unsure about a medication switch or name change, ask questions.
    2. Your provider should help you understand what the medication does, why it’s used, and how it supports your health.
    3. The more you know, the more empowered you’ll be to take control of your care.
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Fast Facts for Providers

How Language Shapes Trust and Access in Biosimilar Education
  1. Language Framing Shapes Trust
    1. When providers use brand names instead of scientific names, they create an emotional frame rooted in branding – not biology.
    2. Patients may perceive biosimilars as second-rate or unsafe simply due to how the treatment is introduced.
    3. Shift the frame: use scientific names first, and build the conversation around what the medication does, not what it’s called.
  2. Biosimilars Are Not Generics
    1. Biosimilars are highly similar to reference biologic medications, with no clinically meaningful differences in safety, purity, or potency.
    2. They are not generics, and undergo rigorous testing and FDA approval.
    3. These medications are part of a science-based pathway to expand access to necessary biologic treatments.
  3. Equity Implications for Marginalized Communities
    1. Historically excluded communities may harbor greater mistrust or associate “non-branded” medications with reduced quality.
    2. Misframing biosimilars exacerbates barriers to access and reinforces systemic inequities.
    3. Biosimilars offer a critical opportunity for expanding access—but this only works if providers normalize their use through education and trust.
  4. Provider Influence is Key
    1. Introduce the concept of biosimilars early in care conversations, not just when insurance mandates substitution.
    2. Focus on mechanism of action, patient outcomes, and the condition being treated.
    3. Be the messenger who brings clarity, not confusion. Frame the science—not the brand.
  5. Reframing with Everyday Analogies
    1. Telling a patient “You need a specific brand” (e.g., like saying “You need Nikes”) implies other options are inferior.
    2. Saying “You need supportive sneakers with good arch support” centers the function, not the label.
    3. This empowers the patient to trust the treatment plan – even if the name changes.
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