This month, a working group within the Pharmacy Directors Forum of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has reviewed and highlighted “some of the potential challenges regarding adopting biosimilars into clinical practice,” making “several recommendations for the safe and efficient use of biosimilar medications in the clinical setting.” The group listed medication errors, financial toxicity for patients, and economic challenges for institutions/providers as potential risks when using biosimilar products in the care of patients.

The NCCN guidelines conclude that “[o]rganizations need to be prepared to support biosimilar adoption from an operational and clinical standpoint before financial benefits can be achieved. The NCCN Pharmacy Directors Forum strongly advocates for constant vigilance, communication and collaboration between ancillary services (e.g. medical staff, revenue cycle, prior authorization, information technology) to ensure safe practices are maintained and biosimilars are successfully adopted.”