Dr. Ali Explains Misconceptions About Biosimilars

Haythem Y. Ali, MD, senior medical oncologist, Henry Ford Hospital, discusses misconceptions about biosimilars in oncology.

A biosimilar is defined by the FDA as a biological product that is highly similar to an existing FDA-approved reference product, and has no meaningful differences. Since biosimilars are relatively new to the cancer sphere in the United States, Ali says that some providers are unsure of the differences between biosimilars and generic drugs.

Ali says that the only way for providers to understand biosimilars, and therefore become comfortable with their use, is through education. There are a different set of rules to follow to get a biosimilar approved by the FDA, and providers should understand those rules and their importance, Ali explains.

Although there have been multiple approvals of biosimilars as cancer treatment in the United States, they are not yet available. But there are supportive care biosimilars in oncology for the myeloid growth factors GCSF, or filgrastim (Neupogen).