Patient attitudes about non-medical switching to biosimilars: results from an online patient survey in the United States

AbstractObjective: To evaluate patient attitudes regarding non-medical switching (NMS) to biosimilars among patients with autoimmune disease currently receiving a biologic.Methods: An online survey was conducted among patients meeting the following criteria: ≥18 years of age; residing in the US; diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis; currently taking a biologic; and consenting to participate. Patients answered questions about their attitudes and experiences related to NMS. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses.Results: A total of 1696 patients completed the 20-min survey. Eighty-five per cent of patients were concerned that biosimilars wouldn’t treat their disease as well; 85% didn’t want to switch to a biosimilar if their current biologic was helping their disease; and 83% were concerned that switching may cause more side-effects. Twenty per cent of patients had previously received notification about a potential NMS to a...