부산대학교 도서관

Likely due to specific regulatory requirements in the United States, physicians sometimes interpret interchangeability as the potential for a biologic to be substituted by a biosimilar at the pharmacy level, without the involvement of a physician. However, interchangeability between a biological reference medicine and a corresponding biosimilar medicine should not be defined by its practical application; whether physician-driven switch or pharmacist-driven substitution. Despite the strength of the science supporting interchangeability, when two medicines are deemed to be interchangeable, physicians should be relevant players in any switching decision. A science-based understanding of interchangeability may raise confidence among physicians that currently prescribe biosimilars only in naïve patients, and may make them more comfortable switching from the reference medicine to a biosimilar, to further foster the positive impact of biosimilars. [Extracted from the article]