title: Awareness, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Biosimilars Among Specialty Physicians.
abstract: The Biosimilars Forum conducted a survey through an independent organization from November 20, 2015 to January 4, 2016 in order to assess current levels of awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of biosimilars among US specialty physicians who already prescribe biologics. The survey was intended to provide a baseline level of knowledge about biosimilars and will be repeated in 2-3 years in order to monitor trends over time.
  
  
  
  A 19-question survey was created by the Biosimilars Forum and was administered by an independent third party.
  
  
  
  Responses were obtained from 1201 US physicians across specialties that are high prescribers of biologics, including dermatologists, gastroenterologists, hematologist-oncologists, medical oncologists, nephrologists, and rheumatologists.
  
  
  
  The results of this survey highlight a significant need for evidence-based education about biosimilars for physicians across specialties. Five major knowledge gaps were identified: defining biologics, biosimilars, and biosimilarity; understanding the approval process and the use of "totality of evidence" to evaluate biosimilars; understanding that the safety and immunogenicity of a biosimilar are comparable to the originator biologic; understanding the rationale for extrapolation of indications; and defining interchangeability and the related rules regarding pharmacy-level substitution.
  
  
  
  Biosimilars Forum.
authors: Sandoz Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA. hillel.cohen@sandoz.com.
authors: Hillel
authors: H
authors: Cohen
authors: Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
authors: Donna
authors: D
authors: Beydoun
authors: Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Chien
authors: Feinstein Kean Healthcare, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Lessor
authors: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA.
authors: Dorothy
authors: D
authors: McCabe
authors: Ares Trading SA, Aubonne, Switzerland.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Muenzberg
authors: Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Popovian
authors: Sandoz Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Uy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals
keywords: Biologic; Biosimilar; Biosimilarity; Extrapolation; Immunogenicity; Interchangeability; Originator biologic