Evaluating the Role of Biosimilars in Oncology: Implications for Clinical Pharmacists
An Official Commercially Supported CPE Symposium Held in Conjunction With
The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association’s 14^th Annual Conference
March 24, 2018
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, CO
Archived, for viewing purposes only.

Purpose

As important contributors to the information cascade, pharmacists need to be experts on biosimilars and other follow-on biologics, so they can provide education to prescribers and other healthcare professionals, as they make informed therapeutic decisions about safe prescribing and use, which ultimately affects patient care and outcomes.

In oncology, biosimilar versions of major anticancer therapies and supportive care agents continue to emerge. Clinically, their introduction may increase the number of patients accessing biologic therapies and, if appropriate, permit access to these therapies at earlier stages of disease.

However, clinicians face challenges with these new therapeutic entities, including understanding the immunogenicity, interchangeability, and substitutions related to biosimilars. Further, concerns over biosimilars may focus on unknown safety issues surrounding the inevitable differences that exist between a biosimilar and its reference product, and also appropriate naming conventions used to distinguish biosimilar drugs. Similarly, extrapolation across indications, interchangeability, and automatic substitution are not yet universally understood. Additionally, differing biologic formulations may pose concerns for efficacy and safety due to changes in manufacturing processes, protocols, packaging, and cold storage delivery. This CE Special Session features an expert faculty presenting insights and experience to guide pharmacists through the challenges and opportunities of an emerging era of biosimilars in oncology.

Learning Objectives

After attending this educational activity, participants should be able to:

• Describe the similarities and differences among biosimilars, reference biologics, and small molecule generics
• Compare and contrast the regulatory approval pathway between a reference biologic and a biosimilar
• Interpret available safety and efficacy data for oncology biosimilars and reference biologics
• Review the potential impact of interchangeability and substitution of biosimilars on dose/response, adverse events, and clinical outcomes
• Discuss emerging biosimilars in development for the treatment of various cancer types
• Identify educational strategies to overcome potential barriers to clinician and patient acceptance

Agenda Faculty

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