P0940 Patient perspectives from a real-world adalimumab biosimilar switching program
Authors: Choon X Y , Moore A , Sharma E , Anderson S , Gecse K , Mawdsley J , Ray S , Dart R , Irving P , Samaan M 
Published: January 2025

Background

The patent expiry of adalimumab originator Humira in 2018 led to the availability of several biosimilars. Whilst the equivalence of biosimilars in their efficacy, safety and immunogenicity to the originator has been consistently demonstrated, patients’ perceptions of switching to biosimilars has not been as well studied. We aim to report on patient perspectives of a non-medical switch from Humira to the biosimilar Idacio.

Methods

We identified 392 patients with inflammatory bowel disease at a tertiary centre in the UK who had switched from Humira to Idacio between February to November 2021. An anonymised patient satisfaction survey was disseminated to all patients and responses were collected within 8 weeks. Acceptability of the switch was assessed by qualitative and quantitative feedback via the electronic questionnaire. Patients without an email contact and/or did not read English were excluded from the survey.

Results

155 patients participated in anonymity (response rate 39.5%). 98 (63%) patients expressed satisfaction at the switch. On a 10-point Likert scale assessing injection site pain after switching to Idacio, 10 being very painful and 1 as no pain, the median pain score was 6, with 87 (56%) patients rating the pain score as 6 or more, and the duration of the pain lasting less than an hour in 67 (77%) patients.104 (67%) patients stated a preference for Humira, 4 (3%) preferred Idacio, 47 (30%) had no preference. 121 (78%) patients had an understanding of the rationale for the switch. When this group was compared to those with self-reported little/no understanding of the switch, they were more likely to express a preference for Idacio or no preference between either (p=0.0036) (Figure 1).

Conclusion

In a real-world non-medical switch from the adalimumab originator Humira to one of its biosimilars Idacio, the majority of patients expressed overall satisfaction. However injection site pain was common and adversely affected patients’ perceptions of the switch. Improving patients’ understanding of the rationale for biosimilar switching may increase tolerability and acceptance of biosimilars. The cost savings from switching are significant and are even higher now due to competitive pricing. At the time of switch, and presuming a 50:50 split between weekly and every other week administration, the potential annual cost saving to the UK National Health Service was £3739.65 per patient, and at time of writing it is £4953.

References

1.Abitbol V, Benkhalifa S, Habauzit C, Marotte H. Navigating adalimumab biosimilars: an expert opinion. J Comp Eff Res. 2023 Nov;12(11):e230117. doi: 10.57264/cer-2023-0117. Epub 2023 Oct 19. Erratum in: J Comp Eff Res. 2024 Feb;13(2):e240003c1. doi: 10.57264/cer-2024-0003c1. PMID: 37855223; PMCID: PMC10690439.

2.A C Moore, D Russell, R Dart, S Dias, S Ghuman, B Petri, E Sharma, S Ray, S Anderson, J Mawdsley, P M Irving, M A Samaan, P411 Stable pharmacokinetics and biochemical markers of inflammatory bowel disease activity: Results from a real-world adalimumab biosimilar switching program, Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, Volume 16, Issue Supplement_1, January 2022, Pages i401–i402, https://doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab232.538