On behalf of the Healthcare Supply Chain Association (HSCA), we appreciate the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) request for comments and holding of workshop on a competitive marketplace for biosimilars. HSCA is committed to increasing competition and promoting innovation in the healthcare system, and we applaud FDA for collaborating with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ensure a competitive marketplace for biological products, including biosimilars and interchangeable products.

HSCA represents the nation’s leading healthcare group purchasing organizations (GPOs), the sourcing and purchasing partners to virtually all of America’s 7,000+ hospitals, as well as the vast majority of the 68,000+ long-term care facilities, surgery centers, clinics, and other healthcare providers. GPOs work with healthcare providers to negotiate competitive prices and support a safe and reliable supply of healthcare products. We play a critical role in helping to lower costs for patients, providers, payers, Medicare and Medicaid, and taxpayers. One report estimated that GPOs reduce supply-related purchasing costs by 13.1 percent annually and will reduce healthcare spending by up to $456.6 billion between 2017 and 2026. The value that GPOs deliver allows healthcare providers and physicians to focus on their core mission: providing first-class patient care.

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