Rheumatology Patients’ Experiences of a Mandatory Nationwide Transition to an Adalimumab Biosimilar
Objective Transitions to biosimilars are common to reduce the cost burden of biologics. While brand changes can be daunting for patients, few studies have explored patients’ experiences with the transitioning process. This study examined rheumatology patients’ experiences with a mandatory nationwide...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-02-01
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| Series: | ACR Open Rheumatology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/acr2.11634 |
| _version_ | 1827349964513083392 |
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| author | Chiara Gasteiger Maria Lobo Robin Stanley Lun Shen Wong Rachel Murdoch Nicola Dalbeth |
| author_facet | Chiara Gasteiger Maria Lobo Robin Stanley Lun Shen Wong Rachel Murdoch Nicola Dalbeth |
| author_sort | Chiara Gasteiger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective Transitions to biosimilars are common to reduce the cost burden of biologics. While brand changes can be daunting for patients, few studies have explored patients’ experiences with the transitioning process. This study examined rheumatology patients’ experiences with a mandatory nationwide brand change to an adalimumab biosimilar. Methods People with rheumatic diseases involved in the adalimumab transition in Aotearoa New Zealand completed a nationwide online survey. Participants (n = 117, 48% with rheumatoid arthritis) reported their satisfaction with the biosimilar, logistics and supply, information and communication, and availability of support. They also reported what did and did not go well during the transition and provided recommendations for future transitions. Results The mean [SD] satisfaction score with the transition was 6.2 [3.2] on a 0‐10 scale, with 10 indicating high satisfaction. Participants were the least satisfied with the support and information from patient support organizations, and training for the device during the transition. Participants were most satisfied with the biosimilar supply, support from pharmacists, and how early they were informed before the transition occurred. After the transition, participants were less satisfied with the device quality, patient support program, biosimilar safety and efficacy, and the provision of alcohol wipes and sharps bins (p < 0.05 for all). Satisfaction with training for the biosimilar device (B = .25, p = .036) predicted overall satisfaction. Participants appreciated less injection pain and the ease of the biosimilar device. The lack of alcohol wipes and loss of the bio‐originator support program were viewed negatively. Conclusion Future biosimilar transitions should ensure the availability of alcohol wipes, sharps bins, and a comparable patient support program. Patient support organizations could be involved in providing information to patients about the change. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T00:51:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9de73bb1e6204e42b032232378287901 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2578-5745 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T00:51:12Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | ACR Open Rheumatology |
| spelling | doaj.art-9de73bb1e6204e42b0322323782879012024-02-15T04:26:34ZengWileyACR Open Rheumatology2578-57452024-02-0162647110.1002/acr2.11634Rheumatology Patients’ Experiences of a Mandatory Nationwide Transition to an Adalimumab BiosimilarChiara Gasteiger0Maria Lobo1Robin Stanley2Lun Shen Wong3Rachel Murdoch4Nicola Dalbeth5University of Auckland Auckland New ZealandTe Toka Tumai Auckland Auckland New ZealandUniversity of Auckland Auckland New ZealandUniversity of Auckland Auckland New ZealandUniversity of Auckland Auckland New ZealandUniversity of Auckland and Te Toka Tumai Auckland Auckland New ZealandObjective Transitions to biosimilars are common to reduce the cost burden of biologics. While brand changes can be daunting for patients, few studies have explored patients’ experiences with the transitioning process. This study examined rheumatology patients’ experiences with a mandatory nationwide brand change to an adalimumab biosimilar. Methods People with rheumatic diseases involved in the adalimumab transition in Aotearoa New Zealand completed a nationwide online survey. Participants (n = 117, 48% with rheumatoid arthritis) reported their satisfaction with the biosimilar, logistics and supply, information and communication, and availability of support. They also reported what did and did not go well during the transition and provided recommendations for future transitions. Results The mean [SD] satisfaction score with the transition was 6.2 [3.2] on a 0‐10 scale, with 10 indicating high satisfaction. Participants were the least satisfied with the support and information from patient support organizations, and training for the device during the transition. Participants were most satisfied with the biosimilar supply, support from pharmacists, and how early they were informed before the transition occurred. After the transition, participants were less satisfied with the device quality, patient support program, biosimilar safety and efficacy, and the provision of alcohol wipes and sharps bins (p < 0.05 for all). Satisfaction with training for the biosimilar device (B = .25, p = .036) predicted overall satisfaction. Participants appreciated less injection pain and the ease of the biosimilar device. The lack of alcohol wipes and loss of the bio‐originator support program were viewed negatively. Conclusion Future biosimilar transitions should ensure the availability of alcohol wipes, sharps bins, and a comparable patient support program. Patient support organizations could be involved in providing information to patients about the change.https://doi.org/10.1002/acr2.11634 |
| spellingShingle | Chiara Gasteiger Maria Lobo Robin Stanley Lun Shen Wong Rachel Murdoch Nicola Dalbeth Rheumatology Patients’ Experiences of a Mandatory Nationwide Transition to an Adalimumab Biosimilar ACR Open Rheumatology |
| title | Rheumatology Patients’ Experiences of a Mandatory Nationwide Transition to an Adalimumab Biosimilar |
| title_full | Rheumatology Patients’ Experiences of a Mandatory Nationwide Transition to an Adalimumab Biosimilar |
| title_fullStr | Rheumatology Patients’ Experiences of a Mandatory Nationwide Transition to an Adalimumab Biosimilar |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rheumatology Patients’ Experiences of a Mandatory Nationwide Transition to an Adalimumab Biosimilar |
| title_short | Rheumatology Patients’ Experiences of a Mandatory Nationwide Transition to an Adalimumab Biosimilar |
| title_sort | rheumatology patients experiences of a mandatory nationwide transition to an adalimumab biosimilar |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/acr2.11634 |
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