(for example, checkpoint inhibitors). Manufacturers
of the reference products develop next-generation
products as a life cycle management, which
sometimes will also run off patent. Therefore,
it will be necessary to continuously evaluate
new biosimilars, and each active substance will
contain its own specifics and challenges. At the
same time, healthcare professionals will become
more experienced and the market’s willingness to
adopt biosimilars is likely to increase. Moreover,
continuing pressure on healthcare budgets is
expected to force a change in attitudes and will
result in an increase in the use of lower cost
biosimilars across Europe. Hospital pharmacists
might join efforts in regard to identification and
documentation of the particular medicinal product
used in an individual patient. The various aspects
of the use of biosimilars make it necessary for
us, as hospital pharmacists, to thoroughly and
continuously keep ourselves updated in order to
be able to advise physicians and patients about
biosimilars and the concept of biosimilarity.
References
1 Blackstone P et al. The economics of biosimilars. Am Health Drug
Benefits 2013;6:469–78.
2 Crommelin D et al. Pharmaceutical evaluation of biosimilars:
important differences from generic low-molecular-weight
pharmaceuticals. Eur J Hosp Pharm 2005;11:11–17.
3 Boone N et al. How to select a biosimilar. Eur J Hosp Pharm
2013;20:275–86.
4 European Medicines Agency www.ema.europa.eu/en/
medicines/ema_group_types/ema_medicine/field_ema_web_
categories%253Aname_field/Human/ema_medicine_types/field_ema_
med_biosimilar/ema_group_types/ema_smops/ema_group_types/
ema_withdrawn_applications?sort=field_ema_med_market_auth_
date&order=asc (accessed October 2018).
5 European Medicines Agency. Biosimilars in the EU. Information guide
for healthcare professionals. www.ema.europa.eu/documents/leaflet/
biosimilars-eu-information-guide-healthcare-professionals_en.pdf
(accessed October 2016)
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