# In an effort to make complex biologic medicines more affordable, the FDA proposed easing rules for biosimilar drug testing.

*biotech · news · 2026-03-10 · Devdiscourse*

## Key points

- The FDA has proposed loosening biosimilar drug testing rules to lower costs for complex biologic medicines.
- Biologic medicines account for over half of drug spending but represent only 5% of prescriptions.
- Spanish researchers created an artificial cornea from fish scales as a cheaper alternative to donor transplants.
- China disputes U.S. accusations about insufficient control of fentanyl precursor sales during a UN meeting.

In an effort to make complex biologic medicines more affordable, the FDA proposed easing rules for biosimilar drug testing. This initiative targets high-cost treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases, currently dominating over half of the market's drug spending, despite comprising just 5% of prescriptions. At a United Nations meeting, the United States and China engaged in a heated exchange, with accusations from Washington that Beijing is lax on controlling fentanyl precursor sales. China refuted the claims, intensifying tensions ahead of a planned diplomatic meeting at the month's end. Spanish researchers have pioneered an innovative artificial cornea using fish scales, offering a lower-cost substitute for traditional donor transplants used to treat severe eye diseases. The scarcity of donor corneas makes this breakthrough particularly significant in addressing the pressing demand.

**Countries:** United States, China

[Read the full story on Devdiscourse](https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/3833425-fdas-bold-move-boosts-biosimilars-us-china-tensions-over-fentanyl-artificial-cornea-innovation)

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