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Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024)

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May 24, 2026
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December 31, 2024

Copyright (c) 2024 Almuharraq, Lafi Mulfi E1, Hind Mohammed Abdulrahman Mustafa Alshanqeti, Amal Muhesan Almutairi, Hashima Makki Mohammed Jabour, Ahmad Warnas Rakha Al-Falih, Lafi Nasser Zahra Al-Anzi, Hassan Mohammad Ahmad Wadani, Salem Ibrahim Ali Al-Ghamdi, Fahad Safar Baris Al-Ghamdi, Eman Gaber Mubarki, Amira Gaber Mubarki, Hayat Abdu Mohammad Fegihi, Faizah Ali Hadadi

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A Narrative Review of Biosimilars, GLP-1 Therapies, and Specialty Medication Management: An Interprofessional Perspective Including Health Assisting, Dentistry, Nursing, Health Informatics, Emergency Services, and Pharmacy

https://doi.org/10.64483/202412713
Almuharraq, Lafi Mulfi E1
Al-Aziziyah Health Center, Hafr Al-Batin, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Hind Mohammed Abdulrahman Mustafa Alshanqeti
Regional Command and Control Center – Madinah Health Cluster,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Amal Muhesan Almutairi
Al-Qassim, Al-Muthnib General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Hashima Makki Mohammed Jabour
Primary Health Care Center, Eastern Health Cluster,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Warnas Rakha Al-Falih
Ministry of Health Branch, Saudi Arabia
Lafi Nasser Zahra Al-Anzi
Al Naseem Al-Janubi Primary Healthcare Center, Riyadh,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Hassan Mohammad Ahmad Wadani
Jazan, Al-Ardah Hospital Year, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Salem Ibrahim Ali Al-Ghamdi
Alaqiq PHC – Al Baha, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Fahad Safar Burays Al-Ghamdi
Alaqiq Health Center, Al Baha, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Eman Gaber Mubarki
Centers Affairs - Southern Sector - Infectious Diseases T.B., Samtah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Amira Gaber Mubarki
Centers Affairs - Southern Sector - Infectious Diseases T.B., Samtah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Hayat Abdu Mohammad Fegihi
Al Mingarah PHC,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Faizah Ali Hadadi
Al-Jouf Specialized Dental Center Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia

Corresponding Author(s) : Almuharraq, Lafi Mulfi E1

lafi20024@icloud.com

Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024)

Abstract

Background: The rapid expansion of biosimilars and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has transformed chronic disease management but introduced complex challenges in access, cost, adherence, and supply chain stability. These specialty medications require coordinated interprofessional management across multiple health disciplines.


Aim: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from 2015–2024 to evaluate biosimilars and GLP-1 therapies through the lens of six health professions: health assisting, dentistry, nursing, health informatics, emergency services, and pharmacy. We focus on access barriers, economic impacts, patient counseling needs, supply chain vulnerabilities, and expanding clinical services.


Methods: A structured literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted using keywords related to biosimilars, GLP-1 agonists, specialty pharmacy, and interprofessional care. Peer-reviewed articles, health policy reports, and grey literature from 2015–2024 were included.


Results: Biosimilars reduce biologic costs by 15–35% but face adoption hesitancy. GLP-1 agonists demonstrate significant efficacy in diabetes and obesity but cost >$1,000/month, driving insurance coverage disparities. Supply chain disruptions for GLP-1s have persisted since 2022. Interprofessional strategies—including pharmacist-led prior authorization, nurse-administered counseling, health informatics-driven shortage forecasting, emergency protocols for adverse events, dental monitoring of oral complications, and health assistant support for adherence—improve outcomes across all domains.


Conclusion: Integrated specialty medication management requires deliberate role expansion for all six health professions. Policy reforms, interprofessional education, and technology investments are essential to optimize access, safety, and equity.

Keywords

Biosimilars; GLP-1 receptor agonists; specialty pharmacy; interprofessional care; health informatics; emergency services; nursing; dentistry; health assisting; supply chain resilience.
Mulfi E1, A. L., Hind Mohammed Abdulrahman Mustafa Alshanqeti, Amal Muhesan Almutairi, Hashima Makki Mohammed Jabour, Ahmad Warnas Rakha Al-Falih, Lafi Nasser Zahra Al-Anzi, … Faizah Ali Hadadi. (2024). A Narrative Review of Biosimilars, GLP-1 Therapies, and Specialty Medication Management: An Interprofessional Perspective Including Health Assisting, Dentistry, Nursing, Health Informatics, Emergency Services, and Pharmacy. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 1(2), 2488–2496. https://doi.org/10.64483/202412713
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