Introduction

Biologics are a type of medication therapy made of large, complex molecules that are engineered from living organisms such as live yeasts and bacteria [1]. The first version of a biologic developed is known as an originator drug. Due to an array of reasons, including the complex nature of biologic molecules and the proprietary nature of the biologic production processes, they cannot be directly replicated. Biosimilars are molecules that are based on biologic medications that though not entirely identical to the originator drug, are assumed to have the same therapeutic characteristics of the originator drug [2]. This issue, however, is not unique to biosimilars; originator biologics cannot be replicated exactly so there is variability between batches of biologics and over time [3, 4].

The use of biologics in patients with autoimmune conditions has been shown to lead to improvements in patients’ health-related quality of life [5,6,7]. Specifically, the positive impact of biologic drugs on clinical outcomes of disease management and their significant role in slowing down disease progression, particularly for rheumatic diseases, has been characterized in the past [8]. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of this class of drugs comes at a cost, with biologics consistently listed among the classes of drugs accounting for the highest proportion of total drug spending in Canada [9, 10]. In 2018, biologic drugs including etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade), which have biosimilar equivalents, contributed to a total of $125 million of British Columbia’s (BC) drug expenditure [11]. Presently, biosimilars are thought to cost 25% to 50% less than their originator drug, and the potential cost savings from the use of biosimilars in Canada by 2021 have been estimated to be as high as $842 million [12, 13]. To date, there has been a lack of biosimilar uptake in Canada and the United States, suggesting that these potential cost-savings have not yet been realized [10, 14].

To reduce the economic burden of biologics, the BC government announced Phase 1 of the “Biosimilars Initiative” in May 2019, expanding the use of biosimilars for particular medical indications including ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis. With the implementation of the “Biosimilars Initiative” this policy mandates that patients on specific biologic medications, including etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade) for ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and plaque psoriasis would be switched to a biosimilar equivalent by November 25, 2019 [15]. In BC, by March 2020, 78% of patients (almost 12,000) had transitioned from biologic to biosimilars [16]. This policy change was the first of its kind in Canada and North America [15].

With the novelty of this policy change in the province and country, the objective our study was to characterize patients’ expectations, concerns, and perceptions ahead of switching from originators to biosimilars followed by their experience of mandatory switching. We anticipated that patients would be anxious about the switch and reluctant to change to biosimilars for non-medical purposes, but that if the biosimilars were (as evidence suggests) equivalent, that their perspectives would change post-switch.

Methods

Study design

We conducted semi-structured interviews, in-person or by telephone, with participants with rheumatic disease prior to and post-switch from a biologic medication to a biosimilar. To maximize consistency, all interviews were conducted by one researcher (MA) who has had previous experience conducting interview-based research. Using convenience sampling, participants were recruited from two rheumatology clinics in BC and email invitations were sent to potential participants. The number of participants recruited were based on convenience sampling and not thematic saturation. Participants were recruited by their rheumatologist, with the support from the practice’s administrative staff, who directly contacted participants who were scheduled to switch and scheduled the interviews. The inclusion criteria included English speaking individuals who are aged 18 years or older, are currently taking a biologic drug affected by the BC Biosimilars Initiative and were scheduled to be switched to a biosimilar. Before the interviews, participants were asked to fill out a demographic questionnaire and consent form. The interview prior to their switch consisted of open-ended questions about the patients’ general perceptions of the change, their baseline knowledge of their medications that are affected by the policy change, and any concerns they had about the anticipated impact the switch may have on their disease management. At the first interview, patients consented to be contacted for a second interview following their switch to a biosimilar at a date to be scheduled later. Post-switch, participants were asked open-ended questions regarding any changes in perception to the policy change and any shifts in expectations and opinions post-switch. Example interview questions and prompts are presented in Table 1. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic declared by the World Health Organization in March 2020, questions about the impact of the pandemic on participants’ switch to biosimilars were also included in these interviews as their switch spanned the timeline of the global pandemic [17].

Table 1 Examples of questions and prompts from re and post-switch interviews
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Data analysis

Data collected from the interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Both pre-and post-switch interviews were coded line-by-line, inductively, using an iterative, thematic approach, guided by the overarching research question. The preliminary analysis was conducted by one research investigator (CC). The derived codes were continuously compared and contrasted by all research investigators to identify sub-categories and to elucidate final major themes. Qualitative analyses of these interviews were conducted using NVivo 12 (QSR International). This study was approved by University of British Columbia Behavioural Research Ethics Board (H19-02169).

Results

From October to November 2019, we interviewed a total of nine participants prior to their switch from biologics to biosimilars, and in July 2020, we re-interviewed a total of six participants post-switch to biosimilars. When invited to participate in a second, follow-up interview, three remaining participants could not be contacted to schedule a follow-up interview. The average age of participants was 60.7 (range: 47–80) with 67% (n = 6) of respondents aged 65 years or less. The majority of the respondents were of European descent (89%; n = 8). Participants were based in two geographical health regions in BC. Additional participant characteristics are listed in Table 2.

Table 2 Participant demographic data
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Pre-switch interviews

Thematic analyses of the pre-switch interviews identified four major themes: (1) impact of switch on disease management; (2) baseline knowledge of the policy change; (3) perceived enablers to the switch; and (4) perceived barriers to the switch. These major themes, sub-categories, thematic descriptions, and corresponding sample quotations are listed in Table 3.

Table 3 Sample participant quotes for major themes and sub-themes prior to biosimilar switch
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Many participants shared their anxiety surrounding the impact of the switch on disease management (Theme 1A) and their disagreement with the policy change expressing that “when you start switching drugs, you do not know the side effects or what’s going to happen” (P1-9). Participants spoke about the expected impact the policy change would have on their health-related quality of life, sharing previous challenging experiences when starting their biologics and their fear of these challenges re-emerging when switching over to the biosimilar. For the most part, participants had good baseline knowledge of the policy change (Theme 2A) and understood the differences and similarities between biologics and biosimilars. Generally, participants sought information and gained knowledge about the policy change through self-research, or from their healthcare providers such as their rheumatologist or pharmacist. Prior to their switch, participants understood the lower cost to the Government of BC associated with biosimilars, and the presence of healthcare and family support systems as well as their overall positivity towards the change acted as perceived enablers to the switch (Theme 3A). Overall, participants felt that they had the necessary information and resources regarding their health and medication management. Conversely, participants also shared perceived barriers to the switch (Theme 4A), notably, concerns over the potential differences in efficacy and safety profiles of biosimilars compared to biologic drugs. Many participants shared feelings of apprehension and displeasure towards the change. Cumulatively, these concerns and attitudes led participants to express frustration over this decision and a desire for more information and justification over the change.

Thematic map of major themes from participants pre-switch

Relationships between and within themes drawn from interviews pre-switch are depicted in Fig. 1. Baseline knowledge of the policy change (Theme 2A) informed both participants’ perceived enablers (Theme 3A) and barriers (Theme 4A) to the switch. Perceived enablers (Theme 3A), including financial motives and participant support systems, both contributed to participants sharing a positive outlook on the policy change. These drivers of change reinforced participants’ acceptance of the policy change. Conversely, perceived barriers (Theme 4A), including cost concerns and the biosimilars’ efficacy profiles, informed participants’ negative outlook on the switch. These factors contributed to participants’ expressed resistance towards the policy change. Both perceived enablers and barriers of the switch are encompassed by the overarching theme of impact of switch on disease management (Theme 1A).

Fig. 1
figure 1

A thematic map pre-switch depicting how a patient’s baseline knowledge of the policy change (Theme 2A) informs both their perceived barriers (Theme 3A) and enablers (Theme 4A) of the switch. These themes are all encompassed by the overarching impact that the biosimilar switch has on patient disease management of their chronic condition (Theme 1A). Dashed arrows show relationships between sub-themes

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Post-switch interviews

The resultant themes from the post-switch interviews include: (1) preconceived ideas of switch; (2) experienced enablers of switch; (3) experienced barriers of switch; (4) support systems; and (5) effect of COVID-19 pandemic on switch. These themes, sub-categories, and corresponding example quotations are listed in Table 4.

Table 4 Sample participant quotes for major themes and sub-themes after their switch to biosimilars
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During these interviews, participants were asked to reflect back on their baseline opinions and attitudes prior to the switch (Theme 1B), where they shared negative expectations, apprehension, and concerns surrounding disease control. During the switch, participants shared that their experienced enablers (Theme 2B) included their informed acceptance of the policy change, successful management of their medical condition throughout the changeover, as well as the limited adverse effects experienced. Cumulatively, these factors made for an overall positive experience for the majority of the participants. Participants also shared experienced barriers of the switch (Theme 3B) including some participants who experienced adverse effects (e.g., discomfort or pain at injection site) which were potentially attributed to the change in needle type from the biologics. Collectively, these negative experiences led some participants to express the desire to revert to their originator drug. Participants also shared the presence of their support systems (Theme 4B) made up from family, friends, and their healthcare providers. One participant shared that they “really [trusted] and [appreciated] the informed atmosphere” from which their rheumatologist was operating.

The timing of the switch coincided with the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and participants described impacts on their mental health, namely, an increase in feelings of anxiety. There were also changes, secondary to the pandemic, in the way participants received healthcare and the delivery mechanisms of this care. Whilst participants experienced difficulty physically seeing rheumatologists and making appointments, they reported an increase in the use of telehealth.

Thematic map of major themes from participants post-switch

Relationships between and within themes drawn from interviews post-switch are depicted in Fig. 2. Participants’ baseline opinion on the switch (Theme 1B) informs both enablers (Theme 2B) and barriers (Theme 3B) experienced by participants during the policy change. Participants’ informed decisions regarding the switch may be linked with their ability to manage their disease, their experiences of efficacy from the biosimilar, and the minimal adverse effects experienced. Conversely, barriers to the policy change, including an experience of adverse effects, changes to the drug packaging and/or administration, cost concerns, and a loss of disease control reinforced participants’ desire to revert to their originator drug. Both experienced enablers (Theme 2B) and barriers (Theme 3B) are influenced by participants’ support systems (Theme 4B). Specifically, the presence of support from healthcare providers or family members contributing to the enablers, while lack of support contributing to barriers of the switch. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the switch (Theme 5B) encompasses the participants overall experience, affecting participants’ enablers (Theme 2B), barriers (Theme 3B), and support systems (Theme 4B).

Fig. 2
figure 2

A thematic map depicting how a patient’s baseline opinion of the switch (Theme 1B) informs both their experienced enablers (Theme 2B) and barriers (Theme 3B) of the switch. These themes are encompassed by the overarching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that was concurrent to the switch (Theme 5B). Dashed arrows show relationships between and within sub-themes

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Discussion

With the increasing interest in biosimilar use and non-medical switching policies worldwide, capturing and understanding patient perspectives before, during, and after the switch is integral to future policy decision-making and understanding the impact these changes have had on affected patients. Patient perspectives on similar policy changes have been characterized in the past; however, to our knowledge, this is the first study examining and characterizing the Canadian patient perspective both pre and post-implementation of this novel policy change in North America [18, 19]. This study characterizes the patient perspective on the BC Biosimilars Initiative both before and after their switch to biosimilars. The findings of this study emphasize the apprehension and anxiety participants experienced prior to the switch, while capturing their successful changeover to a biosimilar with the support from their healthcare providers and families.

Particularly, prior to their switch, one of the most common concerns from participants was the potential decrease or lack of efficacy and increase in side effects of the new biosimilar agent. This is consistent with findings from a patient survey in the United States conducted by Teeple et al. that estimated that 85% of their respondents were concerned with a decrease in efficacy of the biosimilar and worried it would not treat their condition as well as their corresponding biologic agent. Further, 83% of their respondents were also concerned that the biosimilar would lead to an increase in side effects [18]. Similarly, the majority of participants in a 2019 French survey conducted by Frantzen and colleagues shared concerns for biosimilar efficacy and safety profiles when compared to their originator drug [19]. Results from our study show similar concerns and patient apprehension towards biosimilar prior to their switch.

All participants in this study expressed a good baseline understanding of the similarities and differences between biologics and biosimilar, the rationale for the policy change, and were informed of this change prior to the implementation of the switch. This contrasts with findings from Teeple and colleagues who found that 64% of participants had no knowledge at all regarding biosimilars and findings from Frantzen and colleagues who found that 44% of participants were not informed about their changeover to biosimilars [18, 19]. Evidently, the knowledge and information shared to patients is varied across practices; however, despite our patient population’s knowledge base, participants still approached their switch to biosimilars with apprehension and anxiety.

Proper and effective communication strategies from healthcare providers to patients regarding the switch is integral to the success of their changeover and disease management. The importance of effective patient communication has been emphasized to prevent the occurrence of the ‘nocebo’ effect, defined as the “worsening of symptoms induced by any negative attitude from a non-pharmacological therapeutic intervention” [20, 21]. When patients approach the drug with a negative attitude and apprehension, they may experience a lack of or decrease in efficacy [20]. For example, results from the 2017 NOR-SWITCH trial examining the switch from originator infliximab to its corresponding biosimilar (CT-P13) found that disease worsening occurred in both biologic and biosimilar arms of the study [22]. Kristensen and colleagues have hypothesized that the findings from the NOR-SWITCH trial may have been a result of the nocebo effect [20]. Though the majority of participants in our study approached the policy change with fear and apprehension, participants shared in post-switch interviews that their support systems including their rheumatologist, pharmacist, or social circles had facilitated a smooth transition for them. Though previous research has shown that patients received varied information of the switch, including a lack of notification prior to their change, participants from our study shared that they received and appreciated the timely information provided to them by their healthcare providers prior to the policy change [18, 19]. The open communication, early notification, and support from rheumatologists in this study may have contributed to the success of participants’ switch to biosimilars and absence of an observed ‘nocebo’ effect.

In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic that spanned the duration of this policy change, the impact of the pandemic on patients’ biosimilar experiences was also characterized as part of this study. It is unsurprising that the onset of a widespread pandemic would have a significant impact on the emotional wellbeing of individuals [23]. The psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic can be substantial; an early study of the impact found that 54% of individuals reported the psychological impact of the pandemic as moderate to severe [24]. Participants from our study shared similar psychosocial impacts of the pandemic, namely, an increase in feelings of anxiety or depression, which may have contributed to their apprehension and fears going into the switch. Nevertheless, with the decrease in in-person rheumatologist visits, participants reported an increase in their use of telehealth to facilitate their switch. With the advent of telemedicine, telehealth has provided the opportunity for patients to maintain their continuity of care while limiting their exposure to infection [25]. The growth of the use of telehealth, particularly for this cohort, were met with its own barriers and enablers. Barriers to telehealth included the additional planning required to set up technology and lack of physical examinations. Enablers to telehealth included the ease and convenience for patient appointments, as well as a smooth transition facilitated by care providers over to the new platform. In general, participants in this study spoke to the convenience of this health delivery model and for the most part, their seamless transition to a biosimilar during a global pandemic.

Our study does have limitations. Although our sample size was small, using convenience sampling rather than thematic saturation to determine participant numbers, and we only recruited from two practices, we believe that we were able to achieve thematic saturation through our qualitative analysis. We were able to capture patient perspectives from urban areas and more rural settings, which can mean findings are informative for similar patient populations. The data collected in this study achieved variability in terms of participant demographics and geographical location. The recruiting clinics sought to invite patients with diverse perspectives on mandatory switching. Further, not all participants took part in a follow-up interview and thus post-switch results may not have been fully or accurately characterized. Lastly, responder bias may have occurred as individuals who participated in these interviews may have been more inherently engaged in their medication management and their transition to biosimilars, or alternatively had a stronger sentiment against mandatory switching. However, this diversity of perspective is valuable for qualitative research. Despite these limitations, our study is the first of its kind to characterize both pre and post-policy change patient perspectives during a limited window of opportunity ahead of the first mandatory switching policy in Canada. Therefore, this qualitative study of patient perspectives of the BC Biosimilars Initiative adds to the growing body of literature surrounding patient experiences of non-medical switching to biosimilars. Future research will be needed to build on our findings to explore the impact of the BC Biosimilars Initiative on physician prescribing patterns, patient outcomes, and the intended and any unintended consequences related to drug utilization and costs for payers in the province.

Conclusion

The results from or study characterize the patient perspective both pre- and post-implementation of a top-down, province-wide policy change and illustrate how patient concerns prior to such policy changes can be addressed with adequate patient-provider communication and support, leading to patient satisfaction and adequate disease management post-switch. Participants’ perspectives shown in this study can help to inform implementation methods for future policy changes of a similar nature. The support from social circles and healthcare providers experienced by participants as well as the shared decision-making facilitated a smooth transition from biologics to biosimilars, despite the apprehension and anxiety of participants prior to their switch. Communication could be improved in the future if policy makers can anticipate some of the fears and expectations of patients as seen in this study. Future studies with larger samples could help characterize the patient experience on a wider scale and allow for more generalizable findings and applicability to policy makers.