Patient Preference Varies Between Biosimilars or Biologics

For patients, satisfaction with biosimilar medications is generally no different than satisfaction with bio-originator medications. Physicians too generally show high satisfaction levels when prescribing a biosimilar medication or a bio-originator medication.

However, according to a presentation, patients and physicians both report some differences between biosimilars and bio-originators.

Sumesh Kachroo, PhD, of Merck, presented the study in a poster at the recent American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ACR/ARHP) meeting. 

To measure and compare the satisfaction of patients who received a biosimilar to patients who received a bio-originator, Dr Kachroo and colleagues used the Adelphi Biosimilars Program to gather data on patients receiving biosimilars or biologic originators. The program contains real-world, cross-sectional survey data of 50 German rheumatologists and their patients with rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis who are receiving biosimilars or biologic originators. Through the survey, patients report their satisfaction, understanding of, and attitudes towards being prescribed bio-originator medications or biosimilar medications. Matching data on patients who completed the survey was reported by the 50 rheumatologists.

Patients included in the study were receiving biosimilar infliximab or bio-originator infliximab.

Data were collected on a total of 261 patients, 174 (67%) who were receiving biosimilar infliximab at the time of the survey and 87 (33%) who were receiving bio-originator.

The study found that 82% of patients receiving biosimilars and 88% of patients receiving bio-originators reported being “satisfied” or “very satisfied.”  Physicians also reported high levels of satisfaction, with 88% and 90% saying they were satisfied” or “very satisfied” when prescribing a biosimilar or bio-originator medication, respectively.

The study also found that patients receiving biosimilars had a lower understanding of their treatment than patients receiving a bio-original (39% vs 28%, respectively, did not know enough about the drug when initiated) and showed a lack of understanding that biosimilars are based on existing bio-originators.

Patients receiving biosimilars seemed to be aware that cost was a factor in treatment choice, with 35% of patients who had not previously received a bio-originator saying that lower costs were the most common reason for accepting a biosimilar. For patients who switched to a biosimilar from a bio-originator, 28% did so because of the lower cost with most patients making the switch because of their doctor’s recommendation (73%).

Based on these results, the investigators concluded that patient preference should be considered when making treatment choices.  “This may be indicative of the conversations that prescribers are having with both patients and payers when deciding on treatment options,” concluded.

Commenting on the study and saying that the results build on other findings emerging in Europe, Harry Brady, director, European Communications, MSD Immunology in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, said that “MSD strongly advocates that, if switching between biologics does occur, the patient is fully informed and educated.” 

“The decision should ultimately remain with the prescribing clinician, in consultation with the patient,” he said. 

This study was study sponsored by Merck & Co, Inc.—Mary Beth Nierengarten