Eline van Overbeeke1, Birgit De Beleyr2, Jan de Hoon3, Rene Westhovens4,5, Isabelle Huys6. 1. Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, O&N2, Herestraat 49, Box 521, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. eline.vanoverbeeke@kuleuven.be. 2. Department of Pfizer Innovative Health Medical Affairs, Pfizer S.A., Pleinlaan 17, 1050, Brussels, Belgium. 3. Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. 4. Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. 5. Division of Rheumatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. 6. Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, O&N2, Herestraat 49, Box 521, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Among patients and rheumatologists, current knowledge and perception of biosimilars in comparison with originator biologics is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate this knowledge and perception in Belgian rheumatologists and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Anonymous web surveys were conducted in Belgian RA patients (n = 121) and rheumatologists (n = 41) during the period January-March 2016. The surveys covered topics on knowledge, similarity, price, preference, interchangeability, extrapolation and switching. Descriptive and statistical analyses of responses were performed. RESULTS: Familiarity with biosimilars was reported by 49% of patients, of whom 77% knew what biosimilars were. RA patients equally questioned the proven efficacy of originators and biosimilars in RA, as well as their side effects and suitability. Furthermore, RA patients questioned the safety of biosimilars more often than that of originators (35 vs. 20%, respectively; p = 0.0094). Rheumatologists, more so than patients, expressed concerns that there might be differences between originators and biosimilars in terms of quality, safety, and price (p = 0.0292, p < 0.0001, p = 0.0129, respectively). The opinions of rheumatologists on interchangeability and extrapolation of indications varied. The price of an originator contributed substantially to the medicine preference of rheumatologists (p = 0.0002), but not patients. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that rheumatologists, more so than patients, were convinced that there can be differences between originators and biosimilars. Despite safety being the major concern of patients, patients trusted their physician's decision to start on or switch to a biosimilar. The evolution of the uptake of biosimilars in Belgium might thus depend mainly on the perception of physicians.
BACKGROUND: Among patients and rheumatologists, current knowledge and perception of biosimilars in comparison with originator biologics is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate this knowledge and perception in Belgian rheumatologists and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Anonymous web surveys were conducted in Belgian RApatients (n = 121) and rheumatologists (n = 41) during the period January-March 2016. The surveys covered topics on knowledge, similarity, price, preference, interchangeability, extrapolation and switching. Descriptive and statistical analyses of responses were performed. RESULTS: Familiarity with biosimilars was reported by 49% of patients, of whom 77% knew what biosimilars were. RApatients equally questioned the proven efficacy of originators and biosimilars in RA, as well as their side effects and suitability. Furthermore, RApatients questioned the safety of biosimilars more often than that of originators (35 vs. 20%, respectively; p = 0.0094). Rheumatologists, more so than patients, expressed concerns that there might be differences between originators and biosimilars in terms of quality, safety, and price (p = 0.0292, p < 0.0001, p = 0.0129, respectively). The opinions of rheumatologists on interchangeability and extrapolation of indications varied. The price of an originator contributed substantially to the medicine preference of rheumatologists (p = 0.0002), but not patients. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that rheumatologists, more so than patients, were convinced that there can be differences between originators and biosimilars. Despite safety being the major concern of patients, patients trusted their physician's decision to start on or switch to a biosimilar. The evolution of the uptake of biosimilars in Belgium might thus depend mainly on the perception of physicians.
Authors: David Pineles; Lisa Malter; Peter S Liang; Amy Arsuaga; Brian Bosworth; David P Hudesman; Shannon Chang Journal: Eur J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2018-05-31 Impact factor: 2.953
Authors: Marianna Olave; Criswell Lavery; Charles E Leonard; Vincent Lo Re; Judy A Shea; Jonathan Kay; Joshua F Baker Journal: Drugs Ther Perspect Date: 2021-06-08