Enforced change from Humira to biosimilar Yuflyma.

[Peejay64]

Anybody else had or having the experience of being forced to change from Humira to biosimilar Yuflyma?

I’m lucky to be in good health and chemical remission from RA thanks to a MTX/Humira regime for the last 8 years. The only hiccup in this time was when the Rheumatology team strongly advised switching to Imraldi in 2019. I reluctantly agreed with the proviso that, if not successful, I would go back onto Humira. 5 weeks into the Imraldi and it was as if I had never had any treatment for aggressive onset RA. I had rapidly reverted to an ‘invalid’ to RA. My appeal to the team resulted in an urgent switch back to Humira … this of course all took time but eventually (luckily I responded to Humira again) I was back to good health. The whole distressing episode took about 6 months out of my life. Has anybody actually switched to Yuflyma and found no difference in their RA? Has anybody resisted being changed? My initial appeal has resulted in a stronger communication of ‘You will… ‘ !!

[Paula-C]

A few years ago I was told I was going to be switched from enbrel to Benepali. Enbrel took me straight into remission, I dont need any painkillers at all. If somethings working that well why change it?

I did my research, costings etc, typed up notes with all the info and stated valid reasons why I was refusing to be switched and pleased to say it was a success and I remained on enbrel. I was told at the time by versus arthritis and a pharmacist from where my drugs are delivered from that I could refuse to be switched.

I've done some googling and according to BSR it should be a shared decision. (Link below). I think we should have some say in what we inject into our bodies, it's us that have to suffer the consequences if it goes wrong. I've got a friend called Nyree that sometimes posts on here, same situation, was told she was being switched from humira to imraldi, she researched it and refuse and she to was Successful. I'll message her to see if she wants to comment.

rheumatology.org.uk/Portals...

[Peejay64 in reply to Paula-C]

Thank you Paula-C your advice is most welcome especially the link!! I’ve been searching for guidance l8ke this xx

[Nyreedw]

Under NICE guidelines you cannot be forced to change it has to be a joint decision with you and consultant. The difference in price is literally £70 per 2 injections. They are not the same hence the name biosimilars not generic. Research has shown that people who start on biosimilars do well, people who change from original to biosimilars do not. This is also a waste of NHS money and affects our health. If you Google you can find costs and ingredients lists. I did this when they said they wanted to change me to Imraldi. I used facts and figures to back my refusaand stayed on Humira. Biosimilars seem to also stop working if you go off for antibiotics etc. Biggest alarm bells for me was NRAS doing research on the affect of changing from Humira to a biosimilar. If they are that happy to promote them, why would they need people's experiences of disasters from changing. Do your research and get facts and figures when you speak to them. Good luck x

[Peejay64 in reply to Nyreedw]

Nyreedw…..thank you so much for your advice and your time in responding to me..you’re a star! The community supported me last time in 2019 and with the offered advice I was put back on Humira ….I will continue to battle my way hopefully with success xx

[Runrig01]

I would have thought given the reaction last time, you should be in a good position to refuse. As the others say do your research, and send an email or written response. If they remain stubborn include PALs 🤗

[Peejay64 in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you Runrig01 … good advice involving PALS if needs be … it certainly doesn’t make sense when my previous experience was so obviously unsuccessful!

[AgedCrone]

We are all entitled to question being changed from one drug to another,Unfortunately most people don’t investigate their options.

So anyone who feels they are being pressured should seek advice from PALS at their hospital.

[Peejay64 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you Aged Crone …. I’ll be adding them into my ‘army’ 👍🏻

[Mama-K]

morning

I was changed to hymirox , & can honestly say it doesn’t seem to have had any effect at all. I am not yet a year into biologic treatment so that might be why, totally support your stand to get your old treatment back. I guess it highlights we are all different. X

[Peejay64 in reply to Mama-K]

Thank you for taking the time to reply Mama-K. This is what appears to be the case many times. Starting a ‘Biologic’ life on a bio- similar in many instances is a great success …..it’s the switching when established on an originator that is much less so. X