Knowledge of medications and understanding of Mexican patients regarding the non-medical switch from originator to its biosimilar in inflammatory arthritis

Introduction/Objective

Our aim was to know patient's understanding and concerns about biosimilars, switching, and non-medical switch in Mexican population.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional social media survey via the Mexican Foundation for Rheumatic Patients (FUMERAC) was conducted from November 2020 to January 2021. Patients were eligible if they were >18 years of age with any inflammatory rheumatic condition.

Results

A total of 165 participants completed the survey. The most frequent diagnoses were Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Psoriatic Arthritis. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs as monotherapy was the most common treatment. Prior or current users of biologics were reported. Most participants had never heard the term biosimilar. Some would accept the change from an originator to its biosimilar and few would take legal measure or file a complaint if a non-medical switch were to happen. Patients had concerns on treatment effectiveness, adverse effects, reason for change, treatment duration, and other patient's experience.

Conclusion

In Mexico, the concept of biosimilars is barely known. Most patients would not take any measure if they were changed from an originator to its biosimilar.