Patients’ reactions to the introduction of biosimilars: willingness to change.
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Authors
Robinson, Sandra
Heslop, Peta
Walker, David
Issue Date
2017
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Abstract
"Background: Biologic drugs have transformed the treatment of inflammatory arthritis over the last 15 years. Now they are going off patent, patients may be offered biosimilars which will inevitably compete on price for market share in a way that the originator drugs did not. There will therefore be financial incentives to change. A biosimilar is not a generic replacement for the branded drug as the drug is not identical, however, it is similar enough for the regulators to approve it. We were interested to sample the opinions of patients who are currently stable on a biologic to determine what they think about biosimilars and how willing they would be to change.
Methods: Consecutive patients on biologic drugs for RA, PsA or AS, were given a written description of biosimilars to read. They were then invited to answer questions about their willingness to change to one of these drugs; their confidence in the regulatory system and provide free text feedback on any concerns or advantages they perceived.
Results: 55 patients were recruited by one consultant in routine clinics over a 3 month period. No patient declined to complete the questionnaire. 41 patients had RA, 11 had PsA and 3 had AS. There were a total of 14 patients taking Adalimumab, 15 on Etanercept, 1 on Golimumab, 18 on Rituximab, 3 on Tocilizumab, 3 on Abatacept and 1 on Ustekinumab. None were on or had been offered biosimilars. 25 (45%) respondents said that they would be happy to change to a biosimilar; 23 (42%) respondents replied that they might change and 7 (13%) respondents would not be happy to change. Of these 7 respondents, several described having great difficulty finding the right drug in the first place. The vast majority of the concerns expressed about changing were related to whether the biosimilar would have the same effect and tolerability as the drug they were taking. Some raised the issue of whether they would be able to get back onto the original if it wasn’t as good. 1 patient had concerns about the manufacturing process and 7 patients had no concerns at all. In terms of perceived advantages, the reduced cost predominated but several patients also pointed to the potential of greater availability of the drugs for other patients. 10 patients saw no benefit at all.
Conclusion: There is uncertainty for patients about biosimilars. The vast majority are open to trying them but would like the opportunity to return to the originator if they felt it wasn’t as good. Patients who not happy to change appeared to have reasons to be cautious. The educational and support needs of patients changing to biosimilars need to be defined for the prescribers and the patients."
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Citation
Robinson, S., Heslop, P., Walker, D. (2017) 123. Patients’ reactions to the introduction of biosimilars: willingness to change. Rheumatology, 56 (Suppl_2) : kex062.124
Publisher
Rheumatology
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ISSN
1462-0332