Impact of healthcare providers’ training (ISOPP-OPAB) on biosimilars use for cancer care at a university hospital in Nigeria

This study assessed the impact of a targeted training program offered by the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners in enhancing biosimilar knowledge among healthcare professionals at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, addressing the critical need for cost-effective cancer care. An interventional, pre- and post-test design was employed, involving 24 healthcare professionals comprising of 16 physicians, 3 pharmacists, and 5 nurses. Participants underwent a one-day training session focused on biologics, biosimilars, and their clinical applications in cancer care, delivered by trained oncology pharmacists. Comparison of pre- and post-training knowledge was assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, was conducted to evaluate the impact of the intervention.Results demonstrated a significant improvement in biosimilar knowledge following the training. The mean (±SD) post-test score (7.3 ± 3.0) was significantly higher than the mean pre-test score (4.6 ± 2.3), with a 2.7-point increase (p < 0.001). Despite participants' professional experience, baseline knowledge was notably low compared to the post-test. The training program effectively bridged this knowledge gap, indicating its potential to facilitate biosimilar adoption. This study concludes that targeted training significantly enhances healthcare professionals' understanding of biosimilars. Continued education and training are crucial to optimizing biosimilar implementation and improving access to affordable cancer care in resource-limited settings<b>.</b>