Research presented at the 22nd Annual International Meeting of The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research demonstrates gaps in physicians’ education on biosimilar agents.
Research presented at the 22nd Annual International Meeting of The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research demonstrates gaps in physicians’ education on biosimilar agents.
Researchers from Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions sought to assess community oncologists’ understanding of biosimilars by surveying a group of 61 community-based US oncologists and hematologists during a live meeting. The clinicians—who came from practices of all sizes and from across the United States—were asked to respond to specific multiple-choice questions about their perceptions of biosimilar agents.
The results of the survey showed that, when asked to describe their familiarity with biosimilars, many physicians reported a lack of clarity about the products:
The survey also revealed that, with respect to safety and efficacy considerations, many clinicians appear receptive to biosimilars, though some seek more information before they will consider prescribing them:
Cost savings appear to be an important factor in clinicians’ willingness to prescribe biosimilar agents rather than reference products:
The survey also asked clinicians to consider patient case examples for 5 conditions, and to report how likely they were to prescribe a biosimilar over a reference product to treat each condition. The reported likelihood of the respondents to prescribe biosimilars is as follows:
The researchers concluded that, while clinicians appear receptive to the idea of prescribing biosimilar products in oncology, significant gaps in education pose a barrier to physicians’ acceptance of these products. It will be critical, the researchers suggest, to overcome this educational barrier in order to increase the uptake of biosimilars and to realize cost-savings in patient treatment.
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