Biosimilar Entry Is Not Generic Entry
Biosimilar adoption brings with it real disruptions to pharmacy and provider workflow.
Access barriers can dampen biosimilar uptake despite state-permitted interchangeability designations and automatic substitutions.
AJHP offers a glimpse what needs to be done to make provider workflows biosimilar-ready:
- Educate staff on biosimilar formulations, concentration, interchangeability status, and patient resources
- Update EHR to ensure product database for the biosimilars is up to date
- Review current support for benefits investigation and prior authorization services and anticipate increased demand/workload
- If feasible, obtain direct numbers for most commonly utilized specialty pharmacies
- Discuss with the most common health insurance plans in the practice to determine which biosimilar products are preferred
- Start educating patients currently on reference product about the potential prescription changes to help mitigate nocebo effect
- For those who transition to a biosimilar, counsel on potential differences and ensure patients are connected to the correct financial and medication access resources as available per the manufacturer
- Continue to stay up to date on the biosimilar landscape, as more products may be approved and interchangeability laws may evolve
- Implement monitoring program post-biosimilar transition to ensure clinical stability and minimize nocebo effect
- Designate a primary champion for biosimilars who can serve to update the collaborate scope of practice; continue to refine workflows; and be the point person in the clinic for patients relating to biosimilar education, questions/concerns, and workflow needs
