Role, Challenge and Opportunity

As a consultant to the physician, an advocate for the patient and an advisor to the health policy authority, pharmacists should be aware of the available biologic products and reassure patients regarding the rigorous approval process that ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of the biologics. As uptake of biosimilars increases, doctors, nurses and pharmacists need to require a more in-depth understanding of the regulatory guidance under different regulatory agents or health authorities. This will enable them to engage with patients, the prescriber, the hospital administrator and third-party payer on the selection and cost-effective use of biologics.

Pharmacists continue to play critical roles in the clinical of biologics, as a consultant to the physician, an advocate for the patient and an advisor to the health policy authority. In such capacity, pharmacists must be equipped with updated dispensing skills, relevant therapeutic knowledge and up to date clinical experience. Practicing pharmacists should be well-positioned and prepared within the integrated healthcare system to accept the role, challenge and opportunity in the rapidly expanding biologics era.