Awareness and Knowledge of Pharmacists toward Biosimilar Medicines: A Survey in Jordan
Aims. Pharmacists in all clinical settings are recognized drug experts and integral educators of biosimilar medicines. *erefore, the
objective of this study was to assess pharmacists? knowledge, predictors of knowledge, and views toward biosimilar medicines in
Jordan. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan during October?December 2020. An Internet-based selfadministrated questionnaire on knowledge and views was distributed using social media groups to the pharmacists among
different areas in Jordan. A descriptive and univariate analysis was performed. Binary logistic regression was conducted to
determine the predictors of knowledge including all variables with p < 0.20 on univariate analysis. Results. A total 536 responses
were received, 502 of which were completed (93.7% response rate). A total of 52.6% of the pharmacists were knowledgeable about
biosimilar medicines and the mean of knowledge level was 6.47 ? 1.62 (range 2?10). Multivariate analysis identified that respondents who had heard about biosimilars before (OR ? 1.942, 95% CI ? 1.231?3.063, p < 0.05) was more likely to be
knowledgeable. Respondents who had not taken the course or the postgraduating training course about biosimilars that were less
likely to be knowledgeable (OR ? 0.548, 95% CI ? 0.357?0.839, p < 0.05). A positive response was noted in pharmacist?s view
regarding the implementation of biosimilar medicines in healthcare setting, biosimilar medicine prescription related to decreased
costs, self-study about biosimilar medicine, and incorporating biosimilar education program at the pharmacy school curriculum
universities level. Conclusions. Pharmacists? views and knowledge vary regarding the particularities and key issues on biosimilar
medicines in Jordan. Incorporating biosimilar course in pharmacy school curriculum could improve their acceptance for future
pharmacy jobs.