Perceptions About Biosimilar Medicines Among Belgian Patients in the Ambulatory Care

Abstract

Background and objectives: Biosimilar medicines have been on the European market for 15 years. Despite the extensive and positive experience with biosimilars across Europe, their uptake remains limited in Belgium. One of the possible factors limiting uptake in clinical practice is the inadequate understanding and lack of trust in biosimilars among patients. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and perceptions about biosimilar medicines among Belgian patients in the ambulatory care.Methods: This study consisted of online questionnaires among Belgian patients in the ambulatory care (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes mellitus type I and II). The results were collected between December 2020 and February 2021. The data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: In total, 657 patients across all disease areas of interest participated in this study. Only 38% of patients had heard of biosimilars before. Of those patients, most (58%) were aware that biosimilars are as safe and effective as their reference product. The vast majority of respondents (68%) would agree with transitioning to a biosimilar if their physician prescribed it, only 3% would never agree with a transition to a biosimilar. If a physician would propose to change their current originator biological therapy with its biosimilar, nearly all patients (95%) want their physician to explain the decision and inform them. For additional information about biosimilars, Belgian patients prefer brochures or folders (41%), or available resources on the internet (35%). Physicians were indicated as the preferred source of information (95%), followed by pharmacists (51%), academia (39%), and patient associations (35%). Most patients require information regarding the safety and efficacy (78%), price and reimbursement (64%), and the clinical development process (56%) of the biosimilar.Conclusion: Belgian patients require information about biosimilar medicines. However, most patients are open and positive towards transitioning their current biological therapy with its biosimilar if sufficiently supported by their healthcare providers.

“Biosimilar, so it looks alike, but what does it mean?” A qualitative study of Danish patients' perceptions of biosimilars

“…A contributing factor to these concerns could be the participants' challenge in understanding the complexity of biologics, which is reflected in that almost all participants were unaware that biosimilars are different from generics. This contrasts Aladul et al where patients were well‐informed and showed high understanding of biosimilars 11 ; however, low biosimilar awareness has been reported previously 9,23–26 . Those gaps in knowledge could explain the observed low willingness to switch to a biosimilar among our informants.…”

“…Such communication to patients should be made by healthcare professionals as these are trusted information sources for patients. 24,26,29 However, it is also important to develop patient education material based on recommendations to ensure its effectiveness, such as developing tailored information, delivered in a relevant format and by competent HCPs. [30][31][32] Further research is needed to compare prescribers' and patients' perspective on available patient educational information to identify potential gaps and differences in understanding of the materials.…”

“…This information could help eradicate any misconceptions that reduction in price equals lower quality 9 and improve patient acceptance of and confidence in biosimilars. Such communication to patients should be made by healthcare professionals as these are trusted information sources for patients 24,26,29 . However, it is also important to develop patient education material based on recommendations to ensure its effectiveness, such as developing tailored information, delivered in a relevant format and by competent HCPs 30–32 .…”

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Healthcare Providers, Healthcare Regulatory Practitioners and Patients Toward Biosimilars in China: Insights From a Nationwide Survey

“…Among patients, less adequate understanding of biosimilars was found in comparison with HCPs ( p < 0.01). Only 50.98% of the patients chose the correct definition, which showed a similar inadequate level of knowledge about biosimilars to several published studies ( Peyrin-Biroulet et al, 2017 ; Azevedo et al, 2018 ; Vandenplas et al, 2021a ). This emphasizes an existing knowledge gap and the further need for tailored education for patients.…”

“…Based on the results of our current study, several recommendations might be considered to fill the gap between the knowledge, attitude and uptake of biosimilars. As studies showed medical staff are the most trusted source of information about biosimilars for patients ( Peyrin-Biroulet et al, 2017 ; Vandenplas et al, 2021a ), it is necessary for HCPs to conduct patient education about biosimilars to promote uptake. Specific strategies for educating patients about biosimilars have already been proposed in some studies ( Vandenplas et al, 2021b ; Oskouei and Kusmierczyk, 2021 ).…”