Survey on use of biosimilar in clinical practice in India

26^th World Cancer and Oncodiagnostics Conference

November 27-28, 2017 Dubai, UAE

Dilip Pawar, Ramez Ahmed and Ashish Bajaj

Biocon Limited, India

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Development of biosimilar is considered as milestone in the management of cancers. We conducted a survey to understand the use of biosimilar in clinical practice. A questionnaire was designed to assess the responses among Oncologists in India in 2016. Response from practicing oncologists was analyzed. Response from 14 oncologists showed that they use biosimilars in their practice like Filgrastim, peg-Filgrastim, Rituximab, Trastuzumab, Bevacizumab. Around 78.6% of the doctors do not have any concerns over the biosimilar drugs currently available in market. However, few oncologists (21.4%) have concerns on approval process, efficacy and cost effectiveness. Some of the factors important for these oncologists for prescribing a biosimilar over an innovator in order of their importance include cost of drug, company image and background, regulatory approval, clinical data availability, quality and manufacturing process followed by the company. Regarding interchangeability, 35.71% opined that it can be considered based on toxicity, efficacy and affordability, 35.67% opined that it can be done when a good supporting clinical data is available. Only 7.1% did not favor interchangeability. All doctors have used a trastuzumab biosimilar in their clinical practice for breast cancer cases. Around 85.7% said that they have had similar and good overall experience with regards to quality, efficacy, safety and immunogenicity profile when using trastuzumab biosimilars compared to the innovator molecule. Biosimilars have proved to be comparable in terms of safety and efficacy as compared to the innovator. Biosimilars have proven to be a cost-effective alternative to innovator molecules.

Biography :

Dilip Pawar has received his MBBS from Grant Medical College and MD from LTM Medical College, Mumbai University, India. He has completed PhD, Fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology from American Society of Clinical Pharmacology and has also done MBA. He heads the Medical Affairs Division and has published around 150 scientific papers. He is also an Associate Editor on Indian Medical Gazette.