Understanding Physician and Patient Perception of Biosimilars

A study performed by NORC at the University of Chicago has provided unique insight on biosimilar uptake from the perspective of physicians and patients.(1) The purpose of this study was to get a better understanding of the beliefs and perceptions about biosimilars. Providers and patients were asked to complete a combination of surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder interviews. The participants of the study were providers who frequently prescribe biologic drugs and patients who received a biologic drug within the last 12 months.

Key findings(1):

• Patients demonstrated high levels of trust in their providers. Therefore, provider confidence in biosimilars was found to increase patient’s willingness to use biosimilars. 

• A provider is less likely to switch a patient to a biosimilar once they have started on the biologic.

  • 49% of providers said they would be likely to start a patient on a biosimilar but when asked if they would switch a patient to a biosimilar if they were stable on the parent biologic, 42% said “not at all likely” to make the switch.

• Physicians were found to be largely opposed to automatic substitution of biologics with approved biosimilars

  • 75% of physicians believed pharmacist should not be able to make substitutions and 50% of patients also agreed.

This study identifies a significant area for improvement regarding education and awareness to enhance biosimilar uptake. Legislation such as the Advancing Education on Biosimilars Act, would be instrumental in increasing biosimilar utilization. However, as explained in the study there are many levers to pull including, but not limited to, limiting incentives, increasing transparency, and additional FDA guidelines.