TN HB1198

Defines "biosimilar" in Tennessee law as a biological product licensed under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 262(k)) that is not listed as discontinued in the FDA's "Purple Book" database

Prohibits health carriers, health benefit plans, and utilization review organizations from requiring patients to try generic equivalents, interchangeable biologics, or biosimilars before covering the equivalent branded prescription drug

Adds biosimilars to Medicaid program provisions, requiring consideration of biosimilars alongside generic drugs and therapeutic equivalents in drug coverage decisions

Amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code (Titles 4, 53, 56, 68, and 71) to incorporate biosimilar definitions and references throughout state health and insurance law

Took effect upon becoming law, approved April 11, 2025, with stated intent to reduce prescription drug costs by eliminating barriers to biosimilar medicine access