Pharmacists are among the most trusted health care professionals in America. Millions of patients rely on their pharmacist for guidance on how best to take their prescription and over-the-counter medications. Every day, in the hospital, retail and community pharmacy settings, pharmacists counsel patients, dispense medicines and collaborate with doctors and health plans. So it is essential that they themselves are educated and current on the latest developments in disease treatment, including the use of biosimilars.
The Biosimilars Council has prioritized educational collaboration with pharmacists. Equipping pharmacists with accurate information about biosimilars assures that information reaches those patients who will benefit most from access to more-affordable versions of expensive biologic medicines to improve their care and quality of life.
In recognition of October as National Pharmacists Month, we’d like to celebrate these partnerships. Together with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) we have jointly developed “Biosimilar Basics for Patients,” a new resource that introduces pharmacists and patients to biosimilars and answers questions they may have related to their safety and efficacy. APhA has additional resources on biosimilars for pharmacists and patients alike, including an online quiz that helps test one’s foundational understanding of biosimilars.
We are also proud to work and partner with the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy(AMCP), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) on a variety of education and policy issues.
Pharmacists are on the front lines when it comes to biosimilars education and we value our continued work with them.
