Spearheading the Implementation of a Biosimilar Program: The Pharmacist’s Role
Provided by Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy.
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Pfizer Inc.
Release Date
May 31, 2023
Expiration Date
May 30, 2024
Estimated Time to Complete
60 minutes
Program Description
This activity provides targeted education on biosimilars to address current knowledge gaps and misconceptions with respect to their safety, efficacy, and interchangeability with originator biologics for the treatment of immune mediated inflammatory disorders. The activity also addresses the practical guidance and strategies for biosimilar implementation into clinical practice.
Our faculty panel is comprised of a managed care pharmacist and a clinical pharmacy specialist. To present the latest evidence in a dynamic format, these pharmacists discuss several case-presentations, as well as a patient-pharmacist consultation video-vignette. Through these case presentations and discussions they share their experiences prescribing biosimilars, educating patients and clinicians on their usage, and how to best implement a biosimilar program into clinical practice.
Intended Audience
This educational curriculum is intended for pharmacists involved in the care and treatment of patients with inflammatory conditions.
Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
- Assess biosimilar concepts with respect to their safety and efficacy, extrapolation of indications, interchangeability, and their implications for use in clinical practice to treat inflammatory conditions.
- Identify barriers to biosimilar use in practice and implement practical strategies to overcome these barriers.
- Describe core actionable strategies for collaborative, interprofessional practice to increase uptake of biosimilars in diverse clinical settings.
Accreditor Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Policy
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine asks all individuals involved in the development and presentation of Accredited Continuing Education activities to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies. This information is disclosed to all activity participants prior to the start of the educational activity. Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine has procedures to mitigate all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. In addition, faculty members are asked to disclose when any unapproved use of pharmaceuticals and devices is being discussed.
In accordance with the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, all relevant financial relationships that faculty, planners, authors, and anyone who may be in control of content have with ineligible companies have been mitigated.
Faculty Information
Amanuel Kehasse, PharmD, PhD
Course Director
Ambulatory Clinical Manager – Specialty Pharmacy
Boston Medical Center Health System
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Boston, MA
Bhavesh Shah R.Ph, BCOP
Chief Pharmacy Officer
Hematology/Oncology and Specialty Pharmacy
Boston Medical Center Health System
Boston, Massachusetts
Faculty Disclosures
Dr. Kehasse, CME Course Director, is a consultant for Novartis.
Dr. Shah receives research/grant support from Astrazeneca, Alexion, Pfizer Inc. and Rigel.
Accreditor and Planning Committee Disclosures
Michael Burk, Senior Operations Manager, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine’s Center for Continuing Education, has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Jessica Martin, PhD, MWC, ELS, consultant medical editor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine’s Center for Continuing Education, has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Brian Jack, MD; CME Accreditation Reviewer, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine’s Center for Continuing Education, has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Accreditation Statement
The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This is an application-based home study educational activity. Pharmacists will receive 1.0 contact hours (0.1 CEUs) for the educational activity. No partial credit is available.
Universal Activity Number (UAN): 0060-9999-23-044-H01-P
Release Date: May 31, 2023
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
Faculty members do not plan on discussing unlabeled/investigational uses of a commercial product.
Disclaimer
THIS CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM IS INTENDED SOLELY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES FOR QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. IN NO EVENT SHALL BOSTON UNIVERSITY BE LIABLE FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ACTION TAKEN IN RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE PROGRAM. IN NO EVENT SHOULD THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE PROGRAM BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL CARE. NO PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS BEING ESTABLISHED. IN NO EVENT SHOULD INFORMATION IN THE MATERIALS REGARDING LAWS, REGULATIONS, OR LEGAL LIABILITY BE CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE OR USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSULTING WITH AN ATTORNEY.
Instructions on How to Earn Credit
Participants must 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; and 3) complete the post-test and the evaluation form. To answer the questions, click on your selected choice for each answer then proceed to the next question. Once completed, click on Grade Exam at the bottom of the page. Your post-test will automatically be graded. If you successfully complete the post-test (score of 70% or higher), your statement of participation will be made available immediately. Click on the View Statement of Participation link and print the statement for your records. If you receive a score lower than 70%, you will receive a message notifying you that you did not pass the post-test. You will have 2 opportunities to pass the post-test. To receive Credit, you must provide your date of birth and NABP number. All Credit information will be uploaded into CPE monitor within 30 days.
For information about the accreditation of this program, please contact Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine’s Center for Continuing Education at cme@bu.edu.
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