Educating patients about changing to new medicine brands

Researchers at the University of Auckland are recruiting pharmacists across New Zealand to explore how they may educate patients about biosimilars.

It is currently unclear what further information pharmacists would like about biosimilars to support their practice. All pharmacists, regardless of their knowledge of biosimilars, are invited to participate in the study.

Healthcare providers in New Zealand are currently experiencing their first large-scale transition to a biosimilar. Since the 1st of March 2022, patients previously prescribed Humira (supplied by Abbvie) are being transitioned to a different brand; a biosimilar called Amgevita (Amgen). While biosimilars, like Amgevita, are used widely overseas and are proven to be safe and effective, some patients have concerns about efficacy and quality and are reluctant to change brands.

Pharmacists, along with doctors and nurses, play an important role in educating patients about biosimilars.

A recent UK study [CG1] involving 899 patients being transitioned from Humira to an adalimumab biosimilar showed that transitioning was often done with suboptimal communication.

Some patients were dissatisfied with the written (16%), and verbal (23%) information received. This is important as the provision of satisfactory information was associated with fewer reported side effects, less difficulty in using the new device, and reductions in negative perceptions about symptom control.

Most research has focused on ensuring that doctors and nurses are prepared to inform patients about biosimilars. In New Zealand, it is expected that pharmacists will help support patients who are changing to biosimilars, such as Amgevita.

The current study is led by Chiara Gasteiger at the University of Auckland and explores which information pharmacists working in the community, hospitals, and primary care would provide to patients changing to biosimilars.

Input from pharmacists is essential as the findings can help identify whether pharmacists would benefit from additional resources to answer patients’ queries and support them in changing to biosimilars. Participation involves completing one short (10-15 minute) anonymous questionnaire online, with an option to enter the draw to win a workplace morning tea. You can access the questionnaire here: https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1yMmiq6Xq3CpcMe