P104 Branded infliximab still predominantly used over biosimilars in patients with IBD

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of 2 infliximab biosimilars in the US market, the vast majority of bio-naïve patients being placed on infliximab are prescribed the reference brand. METHODS: In April 2018, we conducted a retrospective patient chart audit of 1,005 patients with IBD who were started on a biologic agent for the first time. 209 US gastroenterologists submitted patient-level data via a HIPAA-compliant audit form which included both clinical and non-clinical data. The collaborating physicians also completed a brief survey about their practices and their opinions regarding IBD patient management. The data were collected and analyzed in SPSS. RESULTS: 30% of the patients starting on a biologic for the first time were initiated on infliximab. Of those, 16% were placed on a biosimilar and 84% were placed on the reference brand. When presented with the statement, “I trust that infliximab biosimilars are clinically comparable to the reference brand,” 46% of the physicians expressed agreement, 36% were neutral, and 18% disagreed. In 90% of the cases where the patient was placed on the reference brand, the physician was not contacted by a pharmacist or insurance company about using a biosimilar in place of the reference brand. If they had been contacted, in 43% of the cases they would have switched to a biosimilar, in 51% they would have pressed to use the reference brand, and in 6% they would have chosen a non-infliximab alternative. CONCLUSION(S): Until gastroenterologists are encouraged or mandated to use biosimilars, use of the reference brand is anticipated to remain dominant. Based on physician feedback, about half appear to be very willing to use biosimilars, but despite this, continue to prescribe the more familiar reference brand.