The forum, which came into being in May 2015 [1], was developed by 11 brand-name and generics companies all involved in developing biosimilars as ‘the first nonprofit organization solely dedicated to expanding patient access to biosimilars in the United States’.

As part of the initiative, the forum has released two educational guides designed to educate healthcare professionals, the media and patient advocacy organizations about biosimilars. The education tools provide detailed background, insights, FAQs and resources on biosimilars that can be used by multiple stakeholders.

The ‘Overview’ educational guide provides background into what biologicals are and continues by providing information on the core principles of biosimilars, which includes sections on what is a biosimilar, as well as biosimilarity, extrapolation and interchangeability. The document also includes a chapter on the US biosimilars pathway and the benefits of biosimilars for society.

The ‘FAQs’ educational guide provides information about biologicals and biosimilars in a question and answer format. Questions in the document include: What are the benefits of biosimilars; Do biosimilars work in the same way as their biological reference products; and How are biosimilars prescribed? among others.

The information is free and available at biosimilarsforum.org

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Reference
1.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilars Forum launched [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2016 Feb 12]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Biosimilars-Forum-launched  

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