Presenters: Alexander Quesenberry, PharmD, BCOP, Baptist Cancer Center/Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp; Hannah Alley, PharmD, BCOP, Baptist Cancer Center/Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp, Memphis, TN
Co-Authors: Glenn Roma, PharmD, PhD, BCOP, Baptist Cancer Center/Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp, Memphis, TN; Gregory Sneed, PharmD, BCOP, Sanofi, Cincinnati, OH
BACKGROUND: Despite FDA approval in 2016, nationwide biosimilar adoption has been slow. Challenges to biosimilar use are education, buy-in, electronic medical record integration, lack of interchangeability, payer coverage, and conversion.
OBJECTIVE: To improve biosimilar utilization through focused education to improve understanding and confidence in using these agents.
METHOD: To gauge baseline staff knowledge, we created a modified version of the European Society for Medical Oncology biosimilars in oncology survey. This survey included content assessing knowledge of biosimilars as well as the biosimilar approval pathway. In addition, to assess feelings toward biosimilar use as well as any perceived obstacles or barriers, several items focused on individual opinions and attitudes towards biosimilar agents. Prescribers, nursing staff, pharmacy, ancillary clinical staff, financial counselors, and members of the administration were encouraged to participate in the survey. Following the initial survey, we created and disseminated an educational handout addressing knowledge deficits identified from the survey results. The handout focused on 3 aspects: defining a biosimilar, the biosimilars approval process, and interchangeability. After disseminating the handout, we administered the survey to assess the impact of the education on knowledge and opinions related to biosimilars.
RESULTS: A total of 62 employees completed the initial survey, 16% prescribers, 13% pharmacists, 28% nursing staff, and 43% other staff. Regarding the 3 knowledge-based questions: 72% correctly defined a biosimilar, 26% correctly understood the process of interchangeability, and 37% correctly understood the concept of extrapolation of indications. A total of 49 employees completed the post-education survey, 16% prescribers, 31% pharmacists, 12% nursing staff, and 41% other staff. Regarding the 3 knowledge-based questions, 84% correctly defined a biosimilar (12% improvement), 53% correctly understood the process of interchangeability (27% improvement), and 53% correctly understood the concept of extrapolation of indications (16% improvement).
CONCLUSION: During fiscal year 2021, Baptist Cancer Center underwent a coordinated biosimilar utilization effort across its 17 clinic locations. This effort focused on preferred biosimilar selection, provider and patient education, electronic medical record incorporation, and routine biosimilar utilization assessment. As a result, Baptist Cancer Center saved $9 million in fiscal year 2021 in medication expense by using biosimilars 79% of the time and improved clinic staff understanding of biosimilars. This demonstrates that focused educational efforts can beneficially drive use of biosimilars across a medical system.
- IQVIA Institute. Medicine Use and Spending in the U.S. A Review of 2018 and Outlook to 2023. IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science; May 9, 2019. https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-iqvia-institute/reports/medicine-use-and-spending-in-the-us-a-review-of-2018-and-outlook-to-2023.