What does a prescriber think of biosimilars?

Until recently the prescriber had to deal with generics, considered to be simple molecules which are easy to copy. But as discussed in this paper, the biodisponibility of generics remains a source of uncertainty. And now arrive biosimilars, limited for the time being in the cancer setting to granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs) and epoetins. Soon there will be biosimilar monoclonal antibodies with anticancer activity. The prescriber will ask, as for generics, if such drugs have the same activity as originators, if their safety profile is the same, if quality of the production process is guaranteed. The prescriber will want to know if the patient is indeed receiving the prescribed product, and not another. Finally the prescriber will want to check that the lower cost of biosimilars will allow to adhere to international guidelines. This should benefit patients and the community.