Kerri Fitzgerald

DocwireNews

In early 2018, nine biosimilars received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, yet just three had reached the market. In Europe, however, 41 biosimilars have been approved, although initial uptake of these agents in both the United States and Europe has been slow and can depend on a healthcare provider&rsquo;s willingness to promote, prescribe, and use biosimilars in clinical practice. A study published in the <a href="https://www.jmcp.org/doi/10.18553/jmcp.2019.25.1.102?rel=0">Journal of Managed Care &amp; Specialty Pharmacy</a> found that the top barriers to biosimilar uptake are limited biosimilar knowledge, low prescribing comfort, and safety and efficacy concerns.Researchers performed a systematic literature review of current U.S. and European healthcare provider knowledge, perceptions, and prescribing behaviors of biosimilars. They searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library for terms related to biosimilar agents, survey questionnaires, and education. They excluded articles that focused solely on budget cost analyses; only surveyed patients, non-prescribing nurses, or other non-prescribing healthcare providers; were general biosimilar overviews; or were published in a language other than English.Two independent reviewers evaluated 158 English-language studies published between January 1, 2014, and March 5, 2018. A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria, most of which were published in Europe (n=17). The most frequently surveyed practitioners in the studies were hospital specialists, gastroenterologists, and rheumatologists.The researchers found that biosimilar prescribing varied widely between countries and practices.Most physicians perceived biosimilar medicines as second- or third-line treatment options and mainly restricted use to biologic-na&iuml;ve patients.A lack of familiarity with these agents resulted in concerns about biosimilar safety, efficacy, extrapolation, and interchangeability.The majority of surveyed physicians indicated having an incomplete or basic awareness of biosimilar medicines. Hospital-based practitioners had a higher understanding of these agents compared with office-based practitioners.The researchers said that detailed descriptions of biosimilar education programs were lacking. Practitioners in both the United States and Europe most commonly reported learning through self-instruction and independent guideline and/or journal article. Some also turned to discussion with a colleague, continuing education, and consultation of promotional manufacturer materials.&ldquo;Findings from this study indicate that clinicians in the United States and Europe are cautious about biosimilar use and do not predominantly support the use of biosimilars as safe and effective treatment options in patients already receiving bio-originator therapy,&rdquo; the researchers concluded. They noted that areas of education that are in need clinician-tailored materials include concepts of immunogenicity, extrapolation, and interchangeability.

Bradley Marder, MD

Joel M. Topf, MD, FACP

Gout Studies: Transplant Waitlisting and Bone Erosion

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings 2025

Jayme Locke, MD, MPH

The Promise of Xenotransplantation

Leah Lawrence

Real-World Data Backs Invasive DFS as Surrogate Endpoint for OS in EBC

HR Breast Cancer

Latest News

Providers Indicate Barriers to Biosimilar Uptake

Oncology

In early 2018, nine biosimilars received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, yet just three had reached the market. In Europe, however, 41 biosimilars have ...

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Contribute

Career Center

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

HER2 Breast Cancer

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Genetics & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Stroke

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Skin Cancer

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Future of Medicine

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Partners

Expert Interviews

Subscribe