Dr. McBride on the Emergence of Biosimilars in Oncology

Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP, FASHP, FAzPA, clinical coordinator, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Arizona Cancer Center, clinical assistant professor, The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, discusses factors that need to be taken into consideration as biosimilars emerge in oncology.

Biosimilars have been slowly evolving in the market, but McBride believes 2020 will be the “year of the biosimilar.” Many drug therapies have gotten approved; however, they are on hold due to patent litigation. Next year, McBride anticipates seeing a flood of therapeutic biosimilars in the oncology market.

There are many factors to consider with the emergence of biosimilars, including how biosimilars will interplay with care in community oncology—based facilities, academic facilities, and large integrated delivery systems, explains McBride. Additionally, a facility’s finances, formulary, and electronic health records need to be examined as biosimilars become more common. Patients and physicians should be educated about the use of biosimilars. Facilities need to consider how to enroll patients into programs for biosimilars and how financial advocates will address biosimilars, concludes McBride.