Patient Stories

Diagnosed in her late twenties with incurable stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Helen, 41, is a wife and mother of two in Florida. She knows she can rely on biosimilars to help when needed and can live her life to the fullest. Biosimilars are medicines that are highly similar to a brand biologic medicines that provide patients with lower-cost, life-changing medicines. Biosimilars treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s, and more. Biosimilars are just as safe and effective as brand biologics.

Jeni Doerr, 35, has recently gone back to school to become a medical coder and when she is not online learning, she is outside enjoying everything California has to offer through hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking with her dog Sally. Jeni takes the biosimilar Inflectra for her pancolitis. 

"If I'd known I could be on a biosimilar, I'd have done it immediately." —Jeni, Santa Clarita, CA

Celebrate a decade of biosimilar savings at https://b10similars.org/.

Formerly an educator and home lending professional, Rich Lichty, 72 is now a part-time DJ for parties. His greatest passion — besides his wife, three children and four grandchildren — is boating on the Chesapeake Bay. Rich takes candesartan for his moderate high blood pressure.

“Without access to generic medicines, I don't know what I'd do." —Rich Lichty, 72, Laurel, MD

Learn more about savings from generic medicines at: https://accessiblemeds.org/2020-Access-Savings-Report

Rich of Trumbull, Connecticut, counts on generic medicine to stay healthy in his 70's. “There's no question in my mind that generics work," he says. "The doctor explained it was a generic I would be taking, it was no different than the brand and it would be much cheaper. So I said, 'go for it!'” Rich is just one of millions of patients helped every day by the members of the Association of Accessible Medicines, formerly the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. 

Jonnie, 57, of Skiatook, Oklahoma, counts on generic medicine to stay healthy. “I've got the gamut of things that could go wrong as you get older,” she explains. “When you pay for a name brand, it's super expensive. [Do] you know what it's like to have a drug that costs your car payment each month? If it weren't for these generic medications, I don't know where my life would be. I can afford things.” Jonnie is just one of millions of patients helped every day by the members of the Association of Accessible Medicines, formerly the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. 

Keon Torres, 26, of New York, counts on generic medicine to control his ulcerative colitis. “I’ve been playing hip-hop music since high school. There are events almost every weekend, and it’s so important to stay healthy. I have ulcerative colitis and without my generic drugs, which I take every day and every night, I would literally die.” Keon is just one of millions of patients helped every day by the members of the Association of Accessible Medicines keeping #medswithinreach. 

"I was diagnosed with leukemia ALL in July of 2014 and had to endure three years of chemotherapy. In the beginning of my regimen, the doctors gave me tons of pills and infusions designed to kill the cancer, which subsequently weakened my immune system and depleted my energy. For a time, I could barely walk or talk. After my intensive therapy, I immediately began outpatient maintenance, which meant taking six to 10 pills a day, in addition to daily infusions.

When people have the foundation of health, they’re able to do more, be more and reach their potential. Just ask Raeanne (33) of New York City. “I take generic medications for asthma,” she explains. “I don’t have a lot of time or money to spare, so I tell the doctors to just give me the generic because they work the same, and it’s way less than half the cost of the brand name.