Biosimilars in Europe: prescriber survey

A survey of European prescribers reveals a significant increase in familiarity with biosimilars since 2013 [1]. In addition, prescribers increasingly believe they should always have control of treatment decisions, including those to switch to a biosimilar.

In March 2019, the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) asked European prescribers for their views on the prescribing, adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting, automatic substitution and switching of biologicals and biosimilars. This was a follow-up survey, replicating that carried out by the organization in 2013 [2]. In total, 579 prescribers in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK were asked for their views on various aforementioned aspects related to biosimilars and also questions related to their familiarity with, knowledge of, attitudes to, and beliefs in, biosimilars.

Since the 2013 European prescriber study, the percentage of respondents considering themselves highly familiar with biosimilar medicines has increased from 76% to 90%.

Key results relating to ADRs include:

Four out of five prescribers said they are legally required to report ADRs that are brought to their attention
Over half of prescribers are most likely to report an ADR to the National Competent Authority
Two-thirds of prescribers said they spend 10 to 20 minutes filing reports
Overall, prescribers said they file detailed reports; however, this level of detail deters 55% of prescribers from reporting minor events
More than half of prescribers said the reporting infrastructure was the biggest barrier to accurate reporting; another 20% said no barriers exist
Frequency of including batch number is mixed; not having the number available at time of reporting was selected by more than half of prescribers who said sometimes, rarely, or never

Key results relating to control over prescribing and dispensing include:

Four out of five prescribers feel very strongly about having control over what is prescribed and dispensed to their patients
More than 40% of prescribers said they rarely or never prescribe biological products by non-proprietary name only
More than one-third said confidence would be lacking in knowing exactly what was dispensed to patient if they prescribed a product using non-proprietary name
Four out of five prescribers said it would be critical or very important to be notified by pharmacist that patient received a biological medication other than the one they prescribed
Almost 60% of prescribers said it would be acceptable for a pharmacist to determine which biological to dispense on initiation of treatment, but would require clinician agreement in advance

Key results relating to switching include:

Prescriber comfort levels decrease when asked about switching a stable patient to a biosimilar versus prescribing a biosimilar to a naïve patient
Approximately 20% of prescribers are uncomfortable in prescribing a biosimilar to a naïve patient
Approximately 40% are uncomfortable with switching a stable patient from an originator to a biosimilar
In France, Switzerland and the UK, prescribers are most comfortable with prescribing a biosimilar to a naïve patient, while Spanish prescribers are the least comfortable with switching a stable patient to a biosimilar

Key results relating to prescriber switch versus third-party switch:

Prescriber comfort levels decrease when asked about switching a patient to a biosimilar for non-medical reasons
More than half of prescribers (58%) are uncomfortable with switching their patients to a biosimilar for non-medical reasons
Just over 70% of prescribers are uncomfortable when asked about a third party initiating such a switch (this figure has increased sharply since the 2013 survey)
In France and the UK, prescribers are most comfortable with switching their patients, while in Spain, prescribers are the least comfortable with having a third party make the switch

Overall, the survey highlights that prescribers think governments should make multiple therapeutic choices available in tenders. They also believe these tenders should consider factors besides price.

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LATIN AMERICAN FORUM – Coming soon! To further enhance the objectives of GaBI in sharing information and knowledge that ensure policies supportive of safe biosimilars use, we are pleased to announce that we will be launching a new section on GaBI Online and GaBI Journal, the ‘Latin American Forum’ (in Spanish) featuring the latest news and updates on research and developments in generic and biosimilar medicines in Latin America. Register to receive the GaBI Latin American Forum newsletter. Inform colleagues and friends of this new initiative. LATIN AMERICAN FORUM – Próximamente! Para fomentar los objetivos de GaBI sobre la difusión de información y conocimiento sobre las políticas de apoyo que garantizan el uso seguro de medicamentos biosimilares, nos complace anunciar el lanzamiento de una nueva sección en GaBI Online y GaBI Journal, el ‘Latin American Forum’ (en español), que presentará las últimas noticias y actualizaciones en investigación y desarrollo sobre medicamentos genéricos y biosimilares en Latinoamérica. Regístrese para recibir el boletín informativo GaBI Latin American Forum. Informe a colegas y amigos sobre esta nueva iniciativa.

References
1. Feldman MA, Reilly MS. European prescribers’ attitudes and beliefs on biologicals prescribing and automatic substitution. Generics and Biosimilars Initiative Journal (GaBI Journal). 2020;9(3):116-24. doi:10.5639/gabij.2020.0903.020
1. Dolinar, RO, Reilly MS. Biosimilars naming, label transparency and authority of choice – survey findings among European physicians. Generics and Biosimilars Initiative Journal (GaBI Journal). 2014;3(2):58-62. doi:10.5639/gabij. 2014.0302.018

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