Dr Sonia Oskouei Explains the Importance of Education Around Biosimilars

Early education and communication are needed for successful uptake of biosimilars, explained Sonia T. Oskouei, PharmD, director, Pharmacy Program Development for Biosimilars, Premier Inc.

Transcript

What are the biggest misconceptions oncologists have with biosimilars?

With oncology, it’s kind of unique a unique therapeutic area where there’s a sense of evaluating products and utilizing them when there’s not as much robust clinical data sometimes. So, the perception, there’s a wide range of it, to see how they’re going to react to these biosimilars, especially with the 3 big oncology agents expected to launch really soon, it’s to be determined how they react to it.

With 4 trastuzumab biosimilars now approved, what efforts are needed to ensure that oncologists are comfortable prescribing these therapies for their patients when they hit the market?

I think this goes back to the core need of education with biosimilars and being proactive with that. What we’ve seen to date for those health systems and providers that have been successful with biosimilars, there’s certain characteristics that make them able to uptake these products faster and be successful. Part of that is early education and communication. We’ve seen health systems do a full roll out of communication and education from nursing, physicians, pharmacy, and patients, and having that information out in advance has helped a lot when those products become available so they’re not backpedaling at that time.