On February 1, 2016, the Biosimilars Forum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing biosimilar access in the US, announced the launch of “Partnership for Biosimilar Education and Access,” a new education initiative focused on raising awareness and encouraging access to biosimilars in the US.
In support of the initiative, the Forum has already “released two educational guides designed for health care professionals, media, and patient advocacy organizations to learn more about biosimilars”. Furthermore, using its “vast expertise on the science, development, manufacturing, regulation, and clinical applications of biological medicines and biosimilars,” the education tools provided by the Forum’s initiative are said to offer detailed background, insights, FAQs, and resources on biosimilars.
Juliana Reed, the Biosimilar Forum’s president, stated in a press release that the best treatments for some of the most difficult diseases in the US are biological medicines; and, she claims that “the introduction of biosimilars is anticipated to help drive lower cost burdens for the U.S. health care system. It will also help expand earlier, more consistent access to these important medicines for patients with cancer, anemia, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel diseases.”
The information associated with the Forum’s Partnership for Biosimilar Education and Access initiative is free and can be found on the Biosimilar Forum website.