Biotherapeutics Usage By Iowa Pharmacists: A Survey

Abstract

Biotherapeutics, drugs that are produced using biological means such as recombinant DNA technology, are becoming extremely important in the treatment of a number of disorders such as cancer, immunological diseases and certain gastrointestinal diseases. Paucity of basic information health care professionals possess regarding specific biotherapeutics is a significant challenge associated with successful applications of biotherapeutics. The objective of our study was to evaluate the knowledge pharmacists in Iowa have about the usage of biotherapeutics. A short survey was designed to gather demographic data as well as data on specific knowledge about biotherapeutics. This survey was approved by Drake University’s IRB. Using iPads, sixty-eight pharmacists were surveyed and responses were recorded into Qualtrics online survey software. Fifty-seven percent females and 43% males ranging in age from 26-72 with various pharmacy degrees from eight different institutions completed the survey. Approximately 30% of participants surveyed stated they have worked with some form of biotherapeutic drug. Of these, 79% have worked with up to 5 different biotherapeutics and 16% worked with 5 to 10 different biotherapeutics. Nearly 12% of participants stated they were not sure if they had worked with a biotherapeutic. Finally, 48% of the pharmacists surveyed stated they were not well informed regarding the usage of biotherapeutic drugs. Our preliminary results indicate a need to expand this research on a national level with possible implications for developing continuing education programs on biotherapeutics production and applications, specifically designed for pharmacists and other health care professionals.