Differences in UK healthcare professionals" knowledge,,attitude and practice towards infliximab and insulin glargine biosimilars

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate knowledge and attitudes of different healthcare professionals in UK towards infliximab and insulin glargine biosimilars.

Methods
UK medical consultants/registrars, nurses and pharmacists participated in anonymised, self-administered web-based survey distributed by professional associations.

Key findings
There were 234 respondents: medical consultants/registrars (150), nurses (58) and pharmacists (26). 76% of medical consultants/registrars, 84% of pharmacists and 53% of nurses understood what biosimilars were. Medical consultants/registrars and pharmacists had safety and efficacy concerns when switching patients compared to initiation. Nurses had similar levels of safety and efficacy concerns about initiation.

Conclusion
Healthcare professionals were more comfortable with the initiation of biosimilars than switching current patients. Medical consultants/registrars and pharmacists were more informed than nurses.