Background/Purpose: Our aim is to address the lack of understanding surrounding patient attitudes to being prescribed biosimilars in the real world for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).

Methods: The Adelphi Biosimilars Programme is a real-world, cross-sectional survey of patients receiving biosimilars or biologic originators in RA, AxSpA and PsA. Patients report their satisfaction, understanding and attitudes towards being prescribed biosimilars or bio-originators. Rheumatologists (n=50) reported matching data on patients who completed the survey.

Results: Data was collected from 174 biosimilar patients and 87 bio-originator patients. Less biosimilar patients, 78%, were satisfied that their current treatment was controlling their condition than bio-originator patients, 85%. Physician satisfaction reflected that of patients, with only 27% stating they were ‘very satisfied’ when prescribing a biosimilar compared to 43% a bio-originator (p=0.005). Biosimilar patients demonstrated lower understanding of their treatment, 39% felt they didn’t know enough about the drug when it was initiated, vs. 28% for bio-originators. The lack of understanding of biosimilars was again observed as 42% of biosimilar patients were not aware that their treatment was based on an alternative original product. Biosimilar patients who had not previously received a bio-originator stated the most common reasons they accepted biosimilars was cost (30%) and doctor’s recommendations (30%), whilst biosimilar patients who switched from a bio-originator accepted due to doctor’s recommendations (73%) and cost or insurance reasons (43%).

Conclusion: These data demonstrate biosimilar patients show less satisfaction than bio-originator patients and their understanding of their treatment is lower. Whilst many patients seem unaware that biosimilars are based on existing bio-originators, they seem aware that cost is a factor behind their prescription. This may be indicative of the conversations that prescribers are having with both patients and payers when deciding on treatment options.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/patient-attitudes-towards-being-prescribed-biosimilars-in-inflammatory-autoimmune-diseases-in-germany/