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Abstract
The drug infliximab has been a key milestone in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and the seronegative spondyloarthritides. Biosimilar drugs followed the originator, further improving access and diversity of therapy choice. Subcutaneous infliximab (CT-P13) holds potential for greater patient flexibility by self administration, reducing travel and hospital attendance for infusion, particularly relevant at a time of pandemic. We highlight the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic basis of the subcutaneous device, clinical trials in rheumatology and gastroenterology and consider the safety and cost implications. Real-world switching data is required to confirm the efficacy data from clinical trials given the reduction in dosing flexibility compared with intravenous therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Ahmed
- Department of Rheumatology, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, UK
| | - Giulia Bankov
- The Undergraduate Medical School, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Martin Edward Perry
- Department of Rheumatology, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, UK.,The Undergraduate Medical School, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Costa S, Bentley C, Regier DA, McTaggart-Cowan H, Mitton C, Burgess MM, Peacock SJ. Public perspectives on disinvestments in drug funding: results from a Canadian deliberative public engagement event on cancer drugs. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:977. [PMID: 31331312 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7303-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Decisions relating to the funding of new drugs are becoming increasingly challenging due to a combination of aging populations, rapidly increasing list prices, and greater numbers of drug-indication pairs being brought to market. This is especially true in cancer, where rapid list price inflation is coupled with steeply rising numbers of incident cancer cases. Within a publicly funded health care system, there is increasing recognition that resource allocation decisions should consider the reassessment of, and potential disinvestment from, currently funded interventions alongside new investments. Public input into the decision-making process can help legitimize the outcomes and ensure priority-setting processes are aligned with public priorities. Methods In September 2014, a public deliberation event was held in Vancouver, Canada, to obtain public input on the topic of cancer drug funding. Twenty-four members of the general public were tasked with making collective recommendations for policy-makers about the principles that should guide funding decisions for cancer drugs in the province of British Columbia. Deliberative questions and decision aids were used to elicit individuals’ willingness to make trade-offs between expenditures and health outcomes. Results Participants discussed the implications of disinvestment decisions from cancer drugs in terms of its impact on patient choice, fairness and quality of life. Their discussions indicate that in order for a decision to disinvest from currently-funded cancer drugs to be acceptable, it must align with three main principles: the decision must be accompanied by significant gains, described both in terms of cost savings and opportunities to re-invest elsewhere in the health care system; those who are currently prescribed a cancer drug should be allowed to continue their course of treatment (referred to as a continuance clause, or “grandfathering” approach); and it must consider how access to care for specialized populations is impacted. Conclusions The results from this deliberation event provide insight into what is acceptable to British Columbians with respect to disinvestment decisions for cancer drugs. These recommendations can be considered within wider health system decision-making frameworks for funding decisions relating to all drugs, as well as for cancer drugs.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the degree of readability and the length of the package leaflets of biosimilars. SETTING The package leaflets analysed were downloaded from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) website. PARTICIPANTS The study sample included the package leaflets written in English of all the biosimilars that were authorised by the EMA on 31 August 2017, and whose content was available via the internet on that date (n=35). DESIGN This was a cross-sectional analytical study. The readability of the package leaflets of all biosimilars authorised by the EMA in August 2017 was determined applying the Flesch and Flesch-Kincaid formulas. The influence of the following variables on the readability and length was also analysed: package leaflet section, type of biosimilar, date of first authorisation of the biosimilar and type of medicine. RESULTS A considerable variation of the package leaflets length was found (3154±803). The readability of all the package leaflets overtook the recommended value for health-related written materials taking into account Flesch-Kincaid Index, and none of the package leaflets were easy to understand according to the Flesch Index. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the sections of package leaflets in readability indices and length. The most difficult sections to understand were those related with the therapeutic indication of medicine and the possible side effects. CONCLUSIONS Package leaflets for authorised biosimilars may not fulfil the function for which they were designed. The competent organisations could be informed about the possible negative effect on the use of this type of medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Ángeles Piñero-López
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Figueiredo-Escribá
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Modamio
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cecilia F Lastra
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduardo L Mariño
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Beyer B, Walch N, Jungbauer A, Lingg N. How Similar Is Biosimilar? A Comparison of Infliximab Therapeutics in Regard to Charge Variant Profile and Antigen Binding Affinity. Biotechnol J 2018; 14:e1800340. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201800340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Beate Beyer
- Department of BiotechnologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesVienna, Muthgasse 18A‐1190ViennaAustria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial BiotechnologyMuthgasse 18A‐1190 ViennaAustria
| | - Nicole Walch
- Department of BiotechnologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesVienna, Muthgasse 18A‐1190ViennaAustria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial BiotechnologyMuthgasse 18A‐1190 ViennaAustria
| | - Alois Jungbauer
- Department of BiotechnologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesVienna, Muthgasse 18A‐1190ViennaAustria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial BiotechnologyMuthgasse 18A‐1190 ViennaAustria
| | - Nico Lingg
- Department of BiotechnologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesVienna, Muthgasse 18A‐1190ViennaAustria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial BiotechnologyMuthgasse 18A‐1190 ViennaAustria
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5
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Abstract
Advancements in the field of biotechnology have accelerated the development of drugs that are manufactured from cultures of living cells, commonly referred to as "biologics." Due to the complexity of the production process, generic biologics are unlikely to be chemically identical to the reference product, and accordingly are referred to as "biosimilars." Encouraging the development of biosimilars has been presented as the key solution to decrease prices and increase access to biologics, but the development and use of biosimilars continues to raise problems, none of which can easily be addressed. Developing a biosimilar requires considerable time and financial resources, and legitimate safety concerns necessitate elaborate clinical testing of biosimilars. As a consequence, the introduction of biosimilars onto the market has not resulted in significant price reductions, and concerns regarding the substitution and interchangeability of original biologics with biosimilars persist. This article will explain how the biologics production process distorts the trade-offs that traditionally guided both patent protection and regulatory exclusivities: disclosure as a key condition for benefiting from the corresponding monopoly position. Hence, we propose establishing a mechanism of mandatory deposit of the original biologic's cell line at the stage of the regulatory approval as the most effective remedy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Diependaele
- Lisa Diependaele, LL.M., is an Assistant Academic Staff member at the Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences at Ghent University. She obtained a M.A. in Moral Sciences (Ethics) at Ghent University (Belgium) in 2011, and a LL.M. in International and European Law at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, Belgium) in 2012. Julian Cockbain, D.Phil., is a Consultant European Patent Attorney based in Gent, Belgium. After taking a degree and a doctorate in chemistry at Oxford University, he joined the patent and trademark attorney firm Dehns in London in 1979, qualifying as a UK patent attorney in 1983 and as a European Patent Attorney in 1984. He was appointed partner at Dehns in 1985, a position he held until 2012. He has published widely on patent-related matters. Sigrid Sterckx, Ph.D., is Professor of Ethics and Political and Social Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences of Ghent University. She lectures courses in theoretical and applied ethics as well as social and political philosophy. Her current research projects focus on: patenting in biomedicine and genomics; human tissue research and biobanking; organ transplantation; end-of-life decisions; and global justice. She has published widely on these issues. Diependaele, Cockbain, and Sterckx are all members of the Bioethics Institute Gent
| | - Julian Cockbain
- Lisa Diependaele, LL.M., is an Assistant Academic Staff member at the Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences at Ghent University. She obtained a M.A. in Moral Sciences (Ethics) at Ghent University (Belgium) in 2011, and a LL.M. in International and European Law at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, Belgium) in 2012. Julian Cockbain, D.Phil., is a Consultant European Patent Attorney based in Gent, Belgium. After taking a degree and a doctorate in chemistry at Oxford University, he joined the patent and trademark attorney firm Dehns in London in 1979, qualifying as a UK patent attorney in 1983 and as a European Patent Attorney in 1984. He was appointed partner at Dehns in 1985, a position he held until 2012. He has published widely on patent-related matters. Sigrid Sterckx, Ph.D., is Professor of Ethics and Political and Social Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences of Ghent University. She lectures courses in theoretical and applied ethics as well as social and political philosophy. Her current research projects focus on: patenting in biomedicine and genomics; human tissue research and biobanking; organ transplantation; end-of-life decisions; and global justice. She has published widely on these issues. Diependaele, Cockbain, and Sterckx are all members of the Bioethics Institute Gent
| | - Sigrid Sterckx
- Lisa Diependaele, LL.M., is an Assistant Academic Staff member at the Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences at Ghent University. She obtained a M.A. in Moral Sciences (Ethics) at Ghent University (Belgium) in 2011, and a LL.M. in International and European Law at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, Belgium) in 2012. Julian Cockbain, D.Phil., is a Consultant European Patent Attorney based in Gent, Belgium. After taking a degree and a doctorate in chemistry at Oxford University, he joined the patent and trademark attorney firm Dehns in London in 1979, qualifying as a UK patent attorney in 1983 and as a European Patent Attorney in 1984. He was appointed partner at Dehns in 1985, a position he held until 2012. He has published widely on patent-related matters. Sigrid Sterckx, Ph.D., is Professor of Ethics and Political and Social Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences of Ghent University. She lectures courses in theoretical and applied ethics as well as social and political philosophy. Her current research projects focus on: patenting in biomedicine and genomics; human tissue research and biobanking; organ transplantation; end-of-life decisions; and global justice. She has published widely on these issues. Diependaele, Cockbain, and Sterckx are all members of the Bioethics Institute Gent
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6
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Kirchhoff CF, Wang XM, Conlon HD, Anderson S, Ryan AM, Bose A. Biosimilars: Key regulatory considerations and similarity assessment tools. Biotechnol Bioeng 2017; 114:2696-2705. [PMID: 28842986 PMCID: PMC5698755 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A biosimilar drug is defined in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance document as a biopharmaceutical that is highly similar to an already licensed biologic product (referred to as the reference product) notwithstanding minor differences in clinically inactive components and for which there are no clinically meaningful differences in purity, potency, and safety between the two products. The development of biosimilars is a challenging, multistep process. Typically, the assessment of similarity involves comprehensive structural and functional characterization throughout the development of the biosimilar in an iterative manner and, if required by the local regulatory authority, an in vivo nonclinical evaluation, all conducted with direct comparison to the reference product. In addition, comparative clinical pharmacology studies are conducted with the reference product. The approval of biosimilars is highly regulated although varied across the globe in terms of nomenclature and the precise criteria for demonstrating similarity. Despite varied regulatory requirements, differences between the proposed biosimilar and the reference product must be supported by strong scientific evidence that these differences are not clinically meaningful. This review discusses the challenges faced by pharmaceutical companies in the development of biosimilars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol F. Kirchhoff
- Pfizer IncGlobal Technology ServicesBiotechnology and Aseptic Sciences GroupChesterfieldMissouri
| | | | - Hugh D. Conlon
- Pfizer IncAnalytical Research and DevelopmentAndoverMassachusetts
| | | | - Anne M. Ryan
- Pfizer IncDrug Safety Research and DevelopmentGrotonConnecticut
| | - Arindam Bose
- Pfizer IncBioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical SciencesGrotonConnecticut
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Wang YA, Wu D, Auclair JR, Salisbury JP, Sarin R, Tang Y, Mozdzierz NJ, Shah K, Zhang AF, Wu SL, Agar JN, Love JC, Love KR, Hancock WS. Integrated Bottom-Up and Top-Down Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for Characterization of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Degradation Products. Anal Chem 2017; 89:12771-12777. [PMID: 29096433 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b03026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
With the advent of biosimilars to the U.S. market, it is important to have better analytical tools to ensure product quality from batch to batch. In addition, the recent popularity of using a continuous process for production of biopharmaceuticals, the traditional bottom-up method, alone for product characterization and quality analysis is no longer sufficient. Bottom-up method requires large amounts of material for analysis and is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Additionally, in this analysis, digestion of the protein with enzymes such as trypsin could induce artifacts and modifications which would increase the complexity of the analysis. On the other hand, a top-down method requires a minimum amount of sample and allows for analysis of the intact protein mass and sequence generated from fragmentation within the instrument. However, fragmentation usually occurs at the N-terminal and C-terminal ends of the protein with less internal fragmentation. Herein, we combine the use of the complementary techniques, a top-down and bottom-up method, for the characterization of human growth hormone degradation products. Notably, our approach required small amounts of sample, which is a requirement due to the sample constraints of small scale manufacturing. Using this approach, we were able to characterize various protein variants, including post-translational modifications such as oxidation and deamidation, residual leader sequence, and proteolytic cleavage. Thus, we were able to highlight the complementarity of top-down and bottom-up approaches, which achieved the characterization of a wide range of product variants in samples of human growth hormone secreted from Pichia pastoris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Annie Wang
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Di Wu
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jared R Auclair
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Joseph P Salisbury
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Richa Sarin
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yang Tang
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nicholas J Mozdzierz
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Kartik Shah
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Anna Fan Zhang
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Shiaw-Lin Wu
- BioAnalytix Inc. , 790 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jeffery N Agar
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - J Christopher Love
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Kerry R Love
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - William S Hancock
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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8
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Abstract
Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) - designated as 'orphan' diseases - are inborn errors of metabolism caused by defects in genes that encode proteins involved in various aspects of lysosomal homeostasis. For many years, LSDs were viewed as unattractive targets for the development of therapies owing to their low prevalence. However, the development and success of the first commercial biologic therapy for an LSD - enzyme replacement therapy for type 1 Gaucher disease - coupled with regulatory incentives rapidly catalysed commercial interest in therapeutically targeting LSDs. Despite ongoing challenges, various therapeutic strategies for LSDs now exist, with many agents approved, undergoing clinical trials or in preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances M Platt
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
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9
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Sullivan E, Piercy J, Waller J, Black CM, Kachroo S. Assessing gastroenterologist and patient acceptance of biosimilars in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease across Germany. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175826. [PMID: 28410403 PMCID: PMC5391967 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study examined gastroenterologists' motivation for prescribing biosimilars, assessed their treatment preferences in relation to prescribing behaviour, and explored patient attitudes to biosimilars. METHODS Data were taken from the Adelphi Real World Biosimilars Programme, a real-world, cross-sectional study undertaken in 2015-2016 with German gastroenterologists and patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Gastroenterologists provided data on their prescribing behaviour and attitudes towards biosimilars, and invited the next eight eligible consecutive consulting patients to complete a detailed questionnaire. For analysis, gastroenterologists were split into 'Investigative', 'Conservative', and 'Other' groups. RESULTS Overall, 25 gastroenterologists and 136 patients participated. Biosimilars accounted for <15% of all biologic therapies and >80% of gastroenterologists would prescribe a bio-originator rather than biosimilar as 1st line therapy if unrestricted. Patients showed some reluctance to accept biosimilars, although of those receiving biosimilars, 79% were satisfied with the current treatment of their condition, and 69% were satisfied with the control of symptoms. Although at least 35% of patients in each analysis group reported no concerns when starting treatment with a bio-originator or biosimilar, 41% of previously biologic-naïve patients prescribed a biosimilar indicated potential side effects and potential long-term problems, and 24% not knowing enough about the drug, as concerns. CONCLUSION Results demonstrate that there is reluctance from patients to accept biosimilars and the need to further educate patients who are unsure to allow them to be involved in decision making, highlighting the importance of patient and physician communication. There remains a need for further research into non-clinical switching and the long term impact of prescribing biosimilars.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John Waller
- Adelphi Real World, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sumesh Kachroo
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, United States of America
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10
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Waller J, Sullivan E, Piercy J, Black CM, Kachroo S. Assessing physician and patient acceptance of infliximab biosimilars in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis across Germany. Patient Prefer Adherence 2017; 11:519-530. [PMID: 28331299 PMCID: PMC5356924 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s129333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examined rheumatologists' motivation for prescribing biosimilars, assessed their treatment preferences in relation to prescribing behavior and explored patient attitudes to biosimilars. METHODS Data were taken from the Adelphi Real World Biosimilars Programme, a real-world, cross-sectional study undertaken with German rheumatologists and patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondyloarthritis or psoriatic arthritis in 2015-2016. Rheumatologists provided data on their prescribing behavior and attitudes toward biosimilars and invited the next eight eligible consecutive consulting patients to complete a questionnaire. Rheumatologists were split into "investigative", "conservative" and "other" groups. RESULTS Overall, 50 rheumatologists and 261 patients participated. Biosimilars accounted for <10% of all biologic therapy prescriptions, and >95% of rheumatologists would prescribe a biooriginator rather than biosimilar as the first- or second-line therapy if unrestricted. Patients showed some reluctance to accept biosimilars, and a small proportion of patients were unhappy when switched from a biooriginator to a biosimilar. Satisfaction with treatment was highest in patients who started treatment with a biooriginator prior to biosimilar availability. Patient concerns when starting treatment with a biooriginator or a biosimilar included not knowing enough about the drug (25%-41%), potential side effects (26%-32%) and potential long-term problems (19%-30%). CONCLUSION Study results demonstrate that there is some reluctance from patients to accept biosimilars and the need to educate patients who are unsure to allow them to be involved in decision making, highlighting the importance of patient and physician communication. There remains a need for further research into nonclinical switching and the long-term impact of prescribing biosimilars.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christopher M Black
- Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence (CORE), Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | - Sumesh Kachroo
- Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence (CORE), Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
- Correspondence: Sumesh Kachroo, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 East Lincoln Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA, Tel +1 732 594 3847, Email
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