ISOPP ‘believes that oncology pharmacists have a crucial role to play’ when it comes to biosimilars. The group therefore set up a Task Force in 2018 with the aim of reviewing the available evidence and then to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the introduction of biosimilars into the oncology and supportive care setting and how these could be addressed.

As part of this initiative the ISOPP Task Force recently published its Publication on Biosimilars, which consists of the following four papers:

• International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners Global Position on the Use of Biosimilars in Cancer Treatment and Supportive Care
• Proceedings of the Biosimilars Workshop at International Symposium on Oncology Pharmacy Practice 2019 (ISOPP 2019)
• Assessing Biosimilar Education Needs Among Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners Worldwide: An ISOPP Membership Survey
• A Survey of Global Biosimilar Implementation Practice conducted by the International Society for Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners

The ISOPP global position statement is discussed in more detail in another GaBI Online article [1].

This Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice supplement represents the findings and educational resources generated by the Biosimilar Task Force to date. The ISOPP hopes ‘that these documents will facilitate the safe and effective use of biosimilars in clinical practice; and provide guidance and expertise to pharmacists around the world on the use of biosimilar products’.

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Biosimilars education still needed for US and EU clinicians

Reference
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Oncology pharmacists issue position statement on biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2020 Jun 12]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Oncology-pharmacists-issue-position-statement-on-biosimilars

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