Science keeps paving new paths in medicine.
And, one of its latest gold-paved roads is shaking up the pharmaceutical industry: biosimilars.
Biosimilars are providing patients with lower-cost, copycat alternatives to currently approved biologic drugs.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved a few biosimilars so far, but more are coming. Manufacturers are hurrying to produce them and to tap into this new market. And, as biosimilars shake up the pharmaceutical landscape, independent pharmacies need to know the role they play.
What are biosimilars?
A biosimilar is a biological product, or biologic, that’s highly similar to an already FDA-approved biologic. Biosimilars are used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and certain forms of cancer.
Biosimilars are like generics, but they aren’t the same. A generic drug is an exact copy of its brand-name counterpart, and the two are considered bioequivalent. Biosimilars, however, are highly similar to their reference products but have allowable differences because they’re made from living organisms.
The outlook for biosimilars
You’re going to continue to hear a lot about biosimilars in the future as the FDA continues to approve new ones and manufacturers race to produce them.
Considering the novelty and complexity of biosimilars, your patients will likely have a lot of questions. Will you be able to answer them?
Check your knowledge. Take a biosimilar quiz.
Test your biosimilar chops by taking this short biosimilar quiz created by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).
You may learn a few things, or you’ll prove that you’re already an expert.
Why take the quiz? According to the APhA, biosimilars offer the potential to reduce costs, improve access to care, and increase treatment options for patients. And, pharmacists have important roles in providing care for patients, including those who are taking biosimilar products. So, take the 5-question quiz and see how you do!
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