Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (JAPhA)Pharmacist Biosimilar Survey Reveals Knowledge Gaps

In the US, the use of biosimilars is becoming more and more important because of the potential for cost savings to increase patient access to biologic medicines and lower total healthcare expenditures. Healthcare professionals and patients have been the subjects of surveys on biosimilars, but recent comprehensive quantitative data about US pharmacists’ attitudes toward and comprehension of biosimilars are scarce. The majority of US pharmacists understood the fundamental ideas behind biosimilar drugs; however, certain knowledge gaps were concentrated in the areas of interchangeability and substitution. Only slightly more than half of those surveyed said they felt confident answering patients’ inquiries about biosimilars. To bridge these gaps and boost confidence in administering biosimilars, US pharmacists need additional and targeted instructional techniques.