Physicians' and Pharmacists’ Views on Implementing Generic Medicines Standard and Biosimilar Guide
Author(s)
Kefah Ali Alqawasmeh, PhD1, Thomas Mason, PhD2, Abigail Morris, PhD2.
1The Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK, & Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2The Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
1The Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK, & Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2The Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: Generic and biosimilar medicines are an important intervention used by healthcare systems globally to contain high branded medications expenditures. Although generic and biosimilar medicines have been in use in the UAE for a long time, the views of healthcare professional regarding generic and biosimilar medicines and the regulation around them in the UAE have not been deeply evaluated. The aim of this study is to examine and compare physicians and pharmacist’s views on the use of generic and biosimilar medicines.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study with an electronic online validated self-administered questionnaire was sent to healthcare facilities to collect data on physicians and pharmacists' views regarding generic and biosimilar medicines in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Part one of the questionnaire included demographic variables while part two and three measured the understanding of generic and biosimilar medicines and the perception of the participants on training and incentives to stimulate generics and biosimilar acceptance. Collected data was analysed using SPSS version 29 software.
RESULTS: The preliminary results for the first 137 participants were analysed. For generics, 71.8% of the physicians and 85.4% of the pharmacists were convinced that generic drugs were clinically equivalent to the originator drug (P=0.065). For biosimilars only 64.9% and 68.1% of the physicians and pharmacists respectively were convinced that biosimilars were clinically equivalent to the originator drug (P=0.72). On average, 1.39/ 4 knowledge questions were answered correctly about generics, while 1.29/ 4 questions were answered accurately about biosimilars.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study align with earlier research, indicating that many physicians and pharmacists continue to express reservations toward generic and biosimilar medicines. These results highlight the ongoing need for improved educational efforts targeting healthcare professionals, as increased awareness and understanding may play a key role in enhancing their acceptance and integration into clinical practice.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study with an electronic online validated self-administered questionnaire was sent to healthcare facilities to collect data on physicians and pharmacists' views regarding generic and biosimilar medicines in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Part one of the questionnaire included demographic variables while part two and three measured the understanding of generic and biosimilar medicines and the perception of the participants on training and incentives to stimulate generics and biosimilar acceptance. Collected data was analysed using SPSS version 29 software.
RESULTS: The preliminary results for the first 137 participants were analysed. For generics, 71.8% of the physicians and 85.4% of the pharmacists were convinced that generic drugs were clinically equivalent to the originator drug (P=0.065). For biosimilars only 64.9% and 68.1% of the physicians and pharmacists respectively were convinced that biosimilars were clinically equivalent to the originator drug (P=0.72). On average, 1.39/ 4 knowledge questions were answered correctly about generics, while 1.29/ 4 questions were answered accurately about biosimilars.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study align with earlier research, indicating that many physicians and pharmacists continue to express reservations toward generic and biosimilar medicines. These results highlight the ongoing need for improved educational efforts targeting healthcare professionals, as increased awareness and understanding may play a key role in enhancing their acceptance and integration into clinical practice.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
HPR160
Topic
Health Policy & Regulatory
Disease
Biologics & Biosimilars, No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas