The Pharmacist in the Era of Biosimilars: A Key Healthcare Actor

When Paul enters his local pharmacy to renew his treatment, he has no idea that Sophie, his pharmacist, is about to offer him an alternative: a biosimilar drug. This term, still unfamiliar to most patients, naturally raises questions.

"Is it that reliable? Why change now?" asks Paul, visibly hesitant.

Sophie sympathetically explains that this new drug works in a similar way to the one he usually takes, but at a lower cost to him and to the health insurance. At this very moment, she is not only a healthcare professional, but also an expert advisor, able to guide her patients in making informed choices.

Pharmacists play a fundamental role in the adoption of biosimilars. From simple dispensers, they have become key mediators between the patient, the prescriber and the healthcare system.

What is a biosimilar and why is it important?

A biosimilar is a closely related version of an existing biological drug, whose patent has expired. Unlike conventional medicines, which are small chemical compounds, biologics are derived from living cells, making them more complex and costly to manufacture. When a biosimilar is introduced, it offers the same guarantees of safety and efficacy as the original product, but at a lower cost, thus reducing healthcare expenditure.

In France, since April 2022, pharmacists have also been authorized to substitute certain reference biologics with a biosimilar, and vice versa. To date, only growth factors (filgrastim and pegfilgrastim) can be substituted by pharmacists. This new responsibility marks a turning point in their practice, placing them at the heart of therapeutic decisions and healthcare economics.

A Role Beyond Dispensing

In this new dynamic, the pharmacist becomes a key player in explaining the benefits of biosimilars to patients and reassuring them about their use. Let's take the example of Sophie and Paul: as a pharmacist, Sophie must not only offer a cost-effective alternative, but also allay any doubts Paul may have about the efficacy of the biosimilar.

She explains that the manufacturing process for a biosimilar is just as strictly controlled as that for the reference biologic. "In short, it's like making a new recipe for your favorite dish with exactly the same ingredients, but at a more affordable price," she explains.

In this exchange, Sophie doesn't just explain a drug; she creates a bond of trust, an indispensable factor in the acceptance of biosimilars by the general public. By acting as an intermediary between science and the patient, she helps to facilitate access to often costly treatments, while ensuring careful follow-up.

Personalized care for every patient

Substituting drugs with biosimilars is more than just an administrative act. It's a genuine patientsupport process. For some patients, particularly those suffering from chronic illnesses, the slightest change in their treatment may cause concern. The role of the pharmacist is to take the time to listen and respond to these concerns.

Sophie, for example, after explaining the biosimilar to Paul, offers to monitor him regularly to ensure that he encounters no problems with his new treatment. By taking this proactive approach, she offers personalized support, reassuring the patient about the efficacy and tolerance of the new product.

Essential collaboration with prescribers

In addition to dialogue with patients, pharmacists play a crucial role asintermediaries between patient and doctor. When Sophie substitutes a biologic with a biosimilar (filgrastim and pegfilgrastim), she systematically informs Paul's GP. This step is essential to ensure consistent follow-up and avoid any confusion in treatment management.

Thanks to this fluid collaboration, the pharmacist becomes a trusted intermediary between the prescriber and the patient, contributing to effective care coordination. This helps avoid misunderstandings and establishes continuity in therapeutic management.

Advantages of Biosimilars: Cost Optimization and Access to Care

The adoption of biosimilars represents a major challenge for public health. Biosimilars are less expensive, and provide greater access to innovative treatments. By offering a product 15% to 30% cheaper than the original biologic, biosimilars offer a valuable alternative in a context of budget constraints for the social security system.

The savings generated by their use enable reinvestment in new treatments or improved quality of care for all patients. What's more, the pharmacist's role asambassador for biosimilars helps to democratize their use and support collective efforts to control healthcare costs.

L'Avenir du Pharmacien : Un Médiateur Incontournable dans l'Adoption des Biosimilaires

With the evolution of the legislative framework, pharmacists are now positioned as local healthcare experts, playing a crucial role in the adoption of biosimilars. Their responsibility is no longer limited to simply dispensing medicines, but extends to supporting patients and working with prescribers to ensure optimal care.

By facilitating the substitution of biologics with biosimilars (filgrastim and pegfilgrastim), they are helping to make cutting-edge treatments more accessible and cost-effective, while ensuring unchanged quality of care. Thanks to their expertise, pedagogy and attentiveness, they enable a smooth transition to this new generation of treatments.

Pharmacists at the Heart of the Biosimilars Revolution

Biosimilars represent a major advance for public health, in both economic and therapeutic terms. The role of the pharmacist, as the driving force behind change, is fundamental to the success of this revolution. By explaining, reassuring and keeping a close eye on their patients, pharmacists like Sophie ensure the smooth adoption of these innovative medicines, while contributing to the sustainability of the healthcare system.

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