Knowledge and attitudes of German and Swiss community pharmacists towards biologicals and biosimilars - a prospective survey before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Knowledge, attitudes and substitution laws of biosimilars are not consistent across countries. Biosimilar acceptance among patients and healthcare professionals may be suffering from gaps in knowledge and understanding about biosimilars and their regulatory approval process. Pharmacists' roles and responsibilities changed considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, they might have gained new skills and self-confidence in counseling and substitution of biosimilars.

Aims

To examine and compare the knowledge, perceptions and information needs of German and Swiss pharmacists regarding original biologicals and biosimilars in 2020 and 2022.

Methods

We conducted an online survey among Swiss and German community pharmacies in February 2020 (before) and August

SUBMITTER: Messner K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10726545 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature