Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Biosimilars Among Pharmacists and Physicians in Saudi Arabia: A Scoping Review

TL;DR

This study reviews how well pharmacists and doctors in Saudi Arabia understand and use biosimilars, finding moderate knowledge and positive attitudes but highlighting the need for better education and policies.

Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive scoping review of KAP regarding biosimilars among Saudi healthcare providers, identifying gaps and suggesting targeted interventions.

Findings

Approximately 48%-70% of healthcare providers showed adequate knowledge of biosimilars.

More than 60% of practitioners had a positive attitude toward biosimilars.

Adoption of biosimilars was linked to familiarity with clinical evidence and specialty areas like oncology.

Abstract

Biosimilars were introduced in medical practice in recent years. The introduction of biosimilars aimed to provide more cost-effective treatment and improve patients' access to effective treatment. These drugs have recently been approved for use in Saudi Arabia. To optimize utilization of such medications, healthcare providers should be knowledgeable and have a positive perspective toward biosimilars. This scoping review aims to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pharmacists and physicians in Saudi Arabia regarding biosimilars. The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The databases searched for this review included PubMed, MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), EMBASE (Excerpta Medica Database), Scopus, and Google Scholar, covering relevant studies published between 2015 and 2024. A total of 59 studies were identified, and 10 met the inclusion criteria. The findings from the review revealed that approximately 48%-70% showed adequate knowledge of biosimilars. More than 60% showed a positive attitude among practitioners. Adoption was associated with familiarity with clinical evidence, specialty (e.g., oncology, gastroenterology, endocrinology), and clarity of regulatory guidance. The review identified gaps in regulatory knowledge and highlighted that targeted educational programs and policy interventions are needed to improve biosimilar adoption in clinical practice in Saudi Arabia.

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