Patient experience of switching from Enbrel to Benapali.
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Robinson, Sandra
Hall, Toni
Heslop, Peta
Walker, David
Issue Date
2019
Type
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
"Background: The financial savings of switching to biosimilars is clear but the mechanism of switching is not. It is not clear how much explanation, education and consent is optimal. We have previously surveyed patient reactions to their understanding of biosimilars; we have now surveyed their experience of the process of switching. Patients were sent a letter explaining the planned change; that a prescription would be dispensed which would have a different injecting device and that they should read the instructions. Patients could arrange an appointment with the specialist nurse if they felt it necessary. They were encouraged to consent to the change and reassured that they could return to the originator if necessary.
Methods: 2 patients who had already switched were interviewed using a guide prepared by the authors. The results of this informed a questionnaire which was designed to seek patient opinions on how the switch affected efficacy and side effects; their opinions on the information they were given, how willing they were to change, their satisfaction with the process and whether they would like to change back to the originator drug. The first 26 patients were surveyed.
Results: 67% had RA, 25% PsA and 8% AS with an average disease duration of 6 years (range 1 to 20). 81% had very or moderately well controlled disease at the time of the change. 72% felt that they had been given the right amount of information, but 27% would have liked more information. 1 patient had no understanding of the change. 38% felt no difference in efficacy, 38% felt worse and 13% reported feeling better. The remaining (13%) had a mixed response. Side effects were unchanged; 87% reported headaches, injection site pain and runny nose being new complaints. Stability was achieved within 2 months, but the majority (75%) saw no benefit. Willingness to change was evenly split between satisfied and not. 44% would elect to return to the originator drug with 28% unwilling and 28% unsure. 82% were very or somewhat happy with the process, but 17% were not satisfied. Qualitative comments included disappointment and wishing to change back, 1 complaint of 3 months absence from work, but 1 person thought that Benapali was a miracle.
Conclusion: Whilst there was general satisfaction with this minimalist process, it did leave a minority of patients dissatisfied and wanting more information. New side effects were not a major problem, but perceived change in efficacy was. A substantial minority of patients would like to return to the originator drug. For this process to work well, support from the rheumatology service needs to be more available and patients should be empowered to use it."
Description
Citation
Robinson, S., Mekkayil, B., Hall, T. et al. (2019) E020. Patient experience of switching from Enbrel to Benapali. Rheumatology; 58 (Supp_3) : kez110.019.
Publisher
Rheumatology
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
ISSN
1462-0332