Who is afraid of biosimilars? Openness to biosimilars in an Australian cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Biosimilars are increasingly adopted to improve affordability of biologics. An effective introduction of biosimilars requires an understanding of patient acceptance of these agents. We performed a cross‐sectional study of 132 patients with rheumatoid arthritis prior to the introduction of biosimilar switching or prescribing in this cohort. Despite being unfamiliar with biosimilars, most patients are willing to accept biosimilar medicines if recommended by their rheumatologist. Patient concerns about biosimilar uptake mainly focus on concerns about its efficacy. There is a significant correlation between patient attitudes towards biosimilar and generic medicines.

[1]  K. Petrie,et al.  Effects of Message Framing on Patients’ Perceptions and Willingness to Change to a Biosimilar in a Hypothetical Drug Switch , 2020, Arthritis care & research.

[2]  T. Schaeverbeke,et al.  Acceptance rate and sociological factors involved in the switch from originator to biosimilar etanercept (SB4). , 2019, Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism.

[3]  A. Loft,et al.  To switch or not to switch: results of a nationwide guideline of mandatory switching from originator to biosimilar etanercept. One-year treatment outcomes in 2061 patients with inflammatory arthritis from the DANBIO registry , 2018, Annals of the rheumatic diseases.

[4]  D. Gleeson,et al.  Financial costs associated with monopolies on biologic medicines in Australia. , 2017, Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association.

[5]  J. Zalcberg.  Biosimilars are coming: ready or not , 2018, Internal medicine journal.

[6]  L. Peyrin-Biroulet,et al.  The nocebo effect: a clinical challenge in the era of biosimilars , 2018, Expert review of clinical immunology.

[7]  F. Hoogen,et al.  Subjective Complaints as the Main Reason for Biosimilar Discontinuation After Open‐Label Transition From Reference Infliximab to Biosimilar Infliximab , 2018, Arthritis & rheumatology.

[8]  B. Bannwarth,et al.  Switching from originator infliximab to biosimilar CT-P13 in real-life: The weight of patient acceptance. , 2017, Joint, bone, spine : revue du rhumatisme.

[9]  Stephen P. Murby,et al.  A survey of Australian prescribers’ views on the naming and substitution of biologicals , 2017 .

[10]  B. Griffin,et al.  Assessing awareness and attitudes of healthcare professionals on the use of biosimilar medicines: A survey of physicians and pharmacists in Ireland , 2017, Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP.

[11]  K. Petrie,et al.  Medical specialists' attitudes to prescribing biosimilars , 2017, Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety.

[12]  J. Piercy,et al.  Assessing physician and patient acceptance of infliximab biosimilars in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis across Germany , 2017, Patient preference and adherence.

[13]  A. al‐Sabbagh,et al.  Patient attitudes and understanding about biosimilars: an international cross-sectional survey , 2016, Patient preference and adherence.

[14]  D. Roccatello,et al.  Cost-effectiveness of biologic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice: an achievable target? , 2013, Autoimmunity reviews.