Patient Stories

When Desi's swollen ankle began hurting so much that he was unable to run and keep up with his friends, his parents, Jonathan and Susan of Maryland, became concerned. After several doctor visits, a rheumatologist diagnosed Desi with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), an autoimmune disease. To help manage the symptoms of JIA, Desi receives weekly injections of autoimmune suppressant medicine and daily doses of anti-inflammatory medicines.

When people have the foundation of health, they’re able to do more, be more and reach their potential. Just ask October (26) of New Carrollton, Maryland. “I have been taking generics and with the savings I’ve been able to put the money towards therapy sessions and other activities that would help my mental health.” October is just one of millions of patients helped every day by the members of the Association of Accessible Medicines.

Watch October's Story

On a birthday trip to Chicago, KC found herself in the emergency room with a diagnosis of “off the charts” high blood pressure. Her doctor prescribed a few generic medicines that help her manage her condition. “It’s just not an issue for me anymore,” KC says. “I’m on Medicare, and when I pick up my prescriptions, it doesn’t cost me anything. That’s a pretty good deal.”

Because tens of millions of Americans entrust their health to generics and biosimilars, they saved $338 billion in 2020, and nearly $2.4 trillion in the last decade.

“I’ve been fighting Crohn’s disease with a biologic medication for as long as I can remember. When I turned 26, I switched health care plans, and the biologic that I had been taking for years wasn’t covered anymore, but my doctor knew of a biosimilar that would be. So we made the change, and now I don’t pay anything for my infusions. I hope that others can have the same access and that more biosimilars will become available on insurance plans in the future. I can’t imagine not having access.” — Eileen, 28, New York, NY.

Steroids were not controlling Greg’s ulcerative colitis, so his gastroenterologist put him on a biologic medication. After a while, his insurance plan recommended switching to a biosimilar—a safe, effective alternative to a brand-name biologic. “My doctor was on board,” recalls Greg, a weight lifter and pizza fanatic. “I trust my doctor, so I switched to the biosimilar and it’s been smooth sailing ever since.”

Savings from biosimilars for patients like Greg totaled $8 billion in 2020 and are projected to save $133 billion over the next five years.