Background and Key Concepts in Biosimilars: Improving Awareness and Addressing Common Concerns

This activity is accredited for law credit.

This activity was originally broadcast as a live virtual symposium during the 13th annual Directions in Pharmacy conference series.

Program Description
Over the past few years, biosimilars have generated enormous interest as safe and effective alternatives to treatment with biologics. However, concerns regarding health care providers’ and patients’ understanding of their development, regulatory pathway and approval, and considerations for their use in supportive care remain. As medication experts, pharmacists have important roles in educating these parties to ease concerns about biosimilar efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness. This introduction to key concepts in the use of biosimilars will prepare pharmacists to clinically evaluate biosimilars and make recommendations for their appropriate use in supportive care, monitor for efficacy, and help manage adverse effects to improve outcomes among patients. Approaches for pharmacists to address barriers and promote access to available biosimilar products will also be discussed.

Target Audience: Pharmacists

Type of Activity: Application
Release date: June 21, 2023
Expiration date: June 21, 2024

Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Compare the similarities and differences between biosimilars and reference biologics in terms of their development, regulatory pathway of approval, and pharmacovigilance
• Examine key concepts in biosimilars such as immunogenicity, extrapolation of indications, interchangeability, and switching
• Identify the role of biosimilars and their impact on access to treatment, cost utility, and patient outcomes
• Explore shared decision-making practices to inform and engage patients on biosimilars

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.0 contact hour (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-23-278-H03-P. The activity is available for CE credit through June 21, 2024.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, read the article in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Disclosures

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Faculty

Josh Crawford, PharmD, BCPS

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^™ Planning Staff— Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Dipti Desai, PharmD, MBA, CHCP; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta

An anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer
CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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