biosimilars

[Miasnana]

has anyone seen comment in mail on Sunday that some biosimilars may not be quite as effective as the original (but very expensive) drug. Humira and it’s many biosimilars was mentioned. I am on adalimumab and so far it’s been very good for me.

[weathervane]

The pharmacist at the hospital asked if i was interested in changing rituximab to a biosimilar , she was going to come back before my infusion was over to see if i would change. I was reading the literature about it when one of the nurses whispered to me that they have noticed the biosimilar was not as effective for some people, this made up my mind . I told the pharmacist that i had good results with the rituximab and didn’t want to change.

[nanny_bee71]

I saw that article and it caught my interest because I am about to start on adalimumab. So will tread carefully if it is suggested I try something different

[Neonkittie17]

Yes. Some years ago my hospital pharmacy phoned me twice and got quite nasty, trying to bully me into taking a biosimilar of Rituximab. Said it’s exactly the same (err, no it would be a bio/identical if it was!) I told my rheumy as I saw her two days after at my clinic review and she was fuming they were doing this to patients. She typed them an email whilst I was there telling them to back off and stop annoying and unsettling her patient! She always said I’d to stay on the original as it was the only thing that had great effect on my RA.

[helenlw7]

I haven’t read the article, but my own experience of the biosimilars aren’t as good. I had been on etanercept for any years, and along with methotrexate I was able to lead a reasonably normal life. Then I had a letter from rheumatology telling me it would be changed to Benepali, a bio similar. After the third dose of Benepali I had an unrelated appointment with my dr, who’d been my gp for many years. He was absolutely shocked by my appearance, and my poor mobility, so shocked that he emailed my consultant while I was still there. By the time I got home I’d had a message on my answerphone saying I would be being changed back to etanercept! Unfortunately it it took me several months to get back to the position I was in.

[MJSlide1958]

I did not think that adalimumab was a Biologic, I always thought it was the proper name for Himira?? Please enlighten me? Confusing!

[Runrig01 in reply to MJSlide1958]

adalimumab is the original biologic also known as Humira. Imraldi, amgevita etc are the biosimilars.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Runrig01]

Thanks, I thought so.

[Gymcactus]

NHS being told to cut costs by giving cheaper drugs, also regular blood tests which we all have are going to be done every 12 weeks instead of 8 weeks, my rheumy said do not let this be increased further.

[oldtimer2]

If you look at the scientific articles there is little variation OVERALL between the accepted biosimilars and the original medication. But people will always react slightly differently - some will have a slightly better response and some a slightly worse and some the same - people react individually.

Newspapers try and make people read articles by dramatising things!

[Runrig01 in reply to oldtimer2]

I agree completely, the press are all about sensationalising information. Most of the studies show little difference between the two. There will always be those who react poorly on switching but for the majority they should notice little difference. I’ve been on Benepali for 5.5yrs and it has been a godsend at giving me some quality of life back. The cost for 4 benepali is £656, compared to Enbrel at £715. Obviously the more people on the cheaper version, the more money available for others to be offered the treatment. So I’m all for saving the NHS money, to free up for other patients to also regain some quality of life.

[stbernhard]

I would never take notice of anything the broadsheets publish. There's no depth to it. Just headlines.

[Paula-C]

I was told a few years ago that I was going to be switched from enbrel to a biosimilar drug. I did my research, I found the costings compared to enbrel, Benepali was just over £14 per injection cheaper, Erelzi was just over £17. I'd read lots of posts from people who had been switched and it had gone pear shaped and I didn't want that to happen to me. Enbrel had taken me straight into remission. I typed up notes saying why I objected to being switched and I handed them in for my consultant to read. Thankfully my consultant let me stay on enbrel.

Im messaging a young woman at the moment who contacted me via an enbrel Facebook group. She agreed to be switched to Benepali and it turned her life upside down, she's been really bad. They then switched her to a biosimilar to humira, that proved to be a disaster too. She's now back on enbrel, only had one injection a few days ago and she's beginning to feel the benefit. If your doing well on a drug they shouldn't even contemplate switching you to another one.

[Whezziewhoozie]

does any one have a link to the article ?