On December 2, Executive Director Michael Reilly presented the results from the European physicians survey at the DIA Biosimilars Conference in Berlin, Germany. The conference focused on current regulatory, scientific and market access perspectives for biosimilars and ASBM provided a physician’s perspective on biosimilars on the “Health Care Professionals’ and Patients’ Perception, Understanding and Experience of the Biosimilar Concept” panel. The German-specific responses had not been uniquely presented this way until the conference.

In his presentation, Mr. Reilly pointed out:

• Only 39% of German physicians responded that they are very familiar with biologic medicines, and only 21% responded they are very familiar with biosimilars.
• 68% surveyed said that if two medicines have the same non-proprietary scientific name, that it suggests or implies that the medicines are structurally identical.
• 40% identify a biologic medicine for prescription or recording in a patient record by identifying the medicine by brand name.
• 62% said it would not be acceptable for a pharmacist to determine which biologic (innovator or biosimilar) to dispense to their patient on initiation of treatment.

The ASBM survey, conducted at the end of 2013, is the first of its kind in Europe. Over 470 nephrologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, and oncologists from Italy, Spain, France, Germany and the U.K. were surveyed to learn more about their views and understanding of biosimilars. The DIA Conference was the first time German specific data was singled out and compared to the responses of physicians in the four other countries.

View the presentation here.