Survey of healthcare professionals and patients opinions of biosimilar
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Survey of healthcare professionals’ and patients’ opinions on biosimilar medicines and potential barriers to their prescribing
IRAS ID
216931
Contact name
Mohammed Aladul
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Keele University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
A biosimilar is a non-branded copy of an approved and expired patent biological medicine. The main driver behind the emergence of biosimilars is to produce less expensive biological medicines and hence savings for the NHS.
To date, the uptake of biosimilars among UK healthcare prescribers has been variable. This research aims to understand why. We will survey prescribers to seek understanding of any specific issues they may have surrounding biosimilars and the perceived challenges to prescribing.
Similarly, patients need to be able to make fully informed decisions about whether to take a branded biologic or biosimilar. This research aims to identify the questions and concerns of patients about treatment with biosimilars.
Currently, data on the views of healthcare professionals and patients on the prescribing of biosimilars in dermatology,endocrinology, gastroenterology and rheumatology are limited. Understanding healthcare prescribers’ and patients’ knowledge, attitudes and practice towards biosimilars will help to inform future educational initiatives and highlight important issues for commissioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
The study will use a semi-structured interview which focuses on the healthcare professionals' and patients' perspectives regarding biosimilars prescribing in secondary care setting.
This study is a Ph.D. project funded by the Higher Committee for Educational Development in Iraq and is expected to last for two years.Lay Summary of Results:
Abstract
Objective: To investigate UK healthcare professionals' perceptions and perspectives towards biosimilar infliximab, etanercept and insulin glargine and the potential barriers and facilitators to their prescribing.Design: A cross-sectional qualitative study design was used.
Setting: Five hospitals within the West Midlands area in UK.
Interventions: 30 min face-to-face, semistructured interviews of healthcare professionals.
Participants: 22 healthcare professionals (consultants, nurses and pharmacists) participated in the semistructured interviews.
Outcomes: Participants' opinion and attitudes about biosimilars and the barriers and facilitators to the prescribing of infliximab, etanercept and insulin glargine biosimilars in gastroenterology, rheumatology and diabetology specialties.
Results: This study showed that UK healthcare professionals had good knowledge of biosimilars and were content to initiate them. Healthcare professionals disagreed with biosimilar auto-substitution at pharmacy level and multiple switching. Subtle differences among healthcare professionals were identified in the acceptance of switching stable patients, indication extrapolation and cost savings sharing.
Conclusion: Safety and efficacy concerns, patients' opinion and how cost savings were shared were the identified barriers to considering prescribing biosimilars. Real-life data and financial incentives were the suggested facilitators to increase biosimilar utilisation.
Keywords: gastroenterology; health policy; qualitative research; rheumatology.
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2018. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0084
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion