Humira Drug Substitute Falls Short of Biden Aim to Lower Costs (1)

The FDA’s approval of a cheaper, swappable version of AbbVie Inc.‘s blockbuster drug Humira may fall short of promising widespread savings, even if it spurs more alternatives to costly biologics.

The designation of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Cyltezo biosimilar as an interchangeable with AbbVie’s anti-inflammatory drug is a historic move by the Food and Drug Administration, marking the second time ever the agency has deemed a biosimiliar a direct substitute for a biologic drug. It paves the way for pharmacists—pursuant to state rules—to dispense to patients the low-cost alternative without requiring a prescription.

Legal and pharmaceutical experts say the move illustrates ...