Implementation
Many new biosimilars are slated to enter the market in 2023 and become available for patient use. Health-system specialty pharmacies are well positioned to effectively manage the transition to biosimilars due to their integration with patients and providers, access to the electronic health record (EHR) and secure digital patient communication tools, and influence on therapeutic decision-making through collaborative practice agreements. With respect to biosimilars to treat rheumatologic conditions, adalimumab biosimilars have several unique considerations, such as interchangeability and concentration, that will impact pharmacy practices and workflows. Pharmacists embedded in clinical practices and specialty pharmacies will be significantly involved in the processes relating to biosimilar implementation, adoption, and use.
This section of the Resource Center contains tools, checklists, and resources to assist pharmacists with implementing a biosimilar into their workflow.
Preparing for the market for adalimumab biosimilars
A primer for specialty pharmacists about adalimumab biosimilars impact on clinical practices and specialty pharmacies. Includes a roadmap for successfully navigating this landscape.
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Biosimilars in Treating Multiple Sclerosis
A place for biosimilars in the changing multiple sclerosis treatment landscape.
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Biosimilar strategic implementation at a large health system
Article highlights one health system’s response to the market influx of biosimilars with the establishment of a process for formulary review and selection of preferred agents and support for therapeutic interchanges.
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enterprise-wide biosimilar conversion within a large healthcare system
A descriptive report that illustrates the preparation for, challenges of, and execution of an enterprise-wide biosimilar conversion within a large healthcare system. The 3 phases of biosimilar conversion utilized at our institution included selection of a biosimilar, pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committee approval, and implementation.
More informationFrequently Asked Questions
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Multiple teams must coordinate and work together to successfully adopt and deploy a biosimilar product. These teams consist of but may not be limited to, Pharmacy, Prescribers, Information Technology, Nursing, Educators, Drug Authorization, Drug-Patient Assistance Team, Schedulers, Financial Counselors, Inpatient vs. Outpatient Teams, etc.
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Items to consider include changes to workflow (formulary items vs. non-formulary in order entry), pharmacy lead in product build, updates to treatment plans, prior authorization necessity, conversion of existing patients and therapy starts for new patients, order entry (single order vs. treatment plans), inventory, storage, and automatic dispensing cabinet use are just a few.
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As with the institutional approval of any medication, biosimilars fall under the same criteria to gain approval for use in any practice. It is critical to utilize checklists that clearly outline not only the interchangeability of biosimilars to the reference products, but also, the cost savings that can be realized in the adoption of a biosimilar product. A robust checklist will produce a better and more effective rationale for the approval of a biosimilar since many approved biosimilar agents will have either the same or fewer approved indications when compared to the reference product.
Explore the Resource Library
The resource library contains a variety of references, articles, and working documents to help you get the most out of a biosimilar program.
Resource Library