Speaker:

Megan May, PharmD, BCOP

Ambulatory Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Baptist Health System

Lexington, Kentucky

Megan May, PharmD, BCOP, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, pharmacists, physicians, and nurses will be able to:

• Compare the indications for FDA-approved reference biologics and biosimilars that are currently available, as well as those that may reach the market soon.
• Identify challenges that may influence implementation of oncology biosimilars in clinical practice.
• Apply knowledge of the challenges associated with the adoption of biosimilars into clinical practice to educate patients and members of the oncology health care team.

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

• Associate FDA-approved reference biologics with their biosimilars that are currently available, as well as those that may reach the market soon
• Outline challenges that may affect adoption of oncology biosimilars in clinical practice.
• Detail how pharmacy technicians can assist with education about biosimilars to patients and members of the oncology health care team

Activity Overview

The number of biosimilars available for oncology-related indications continues to increase. Despite the growing availability of oncology biosimilar products in clinical practice, clinicians may be reluctant to modify prescribing practices or formularies because of the complex manufacturing and development process of these agents.  Oncology care practitioners are often involved with providing education about risks and benefits of oncology biosimilars and their use for either supportive care or treatment. Additionally, clinical practice guidelines that have been recently updated to promote safe use and appropriate substitution of biosimilars for managing patients will be reviewed. This activity will address barriers to adoption of biosimilars members of the oncology care team may encounter in their practice and present strategies to promote the safe use of biosimilars in clinical practice.