P162 The Biosimilar Switch: IBD nurse's experience in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background A biological medication contains an active substance that is produced from a biological source such as living cells, hormones or enzymes. The active substance in a biological medicine is what makes the medicine work. Biological medicines are also called biologics. A biosimilar medicine is a biological medicine that is developed to be highly similar to an existing biologic but they are not identical and so cannot be considered to be generics. Biosimilars were introduced in Ireland in 2014. In 2018, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital commenced a procurement programme to decide which Infliximab biosimilar to switch our patients to. This process would allow for a huge cost-saving to the hospital budget and also allowed for the allocation of a whole-time clinical nurse specialist to add the IBD nursing team. The infliximab biological switch was then carried out starting in October 2019. All patients received a letter explaining the switch and a booklet to explain the meaning of biosimilars. The patients were then either phoned or spoken to in person by either the IBD nurse or a GI pharmacist, and any questions or concerns addressed. Methods A patient satisfaction survey was sent to each patient 6 months after the switch. Each questionnaire was sent with a prepaid return envelope. The questionnaire consisted of 7 questions with tick box answers. 1. Gender? 2. Age? 3. Did you receive a letter and information booklet in the post prior to the day of your infusion switch. 4. Did you get the opportunity to talk to someone on the phone prior to your infusion? 5. Did you get the opportunity to speak to a nurse or pharmacist on the day of your infusion? If so who? 6. Were you given a named person to contact if you had any issues after our first infusion? 7. Were you happy with the overall experience of the infliximab biosimilar switch? Results 86 patients were switched from the originator to the biosimilar Flixabi. 22 responses were received. 1. 11 male; 11 female 2. Age 16-19 - 2; 20-29 - 1; 30-39 - 4; 40-49 - 4; 50-59 - 9; 70-79 - 1; preferred not to answer - 1. 3. 20 received the letter and booklet; 2 did not. 4. 15 spoke to someone on the phone; 6 did not and 1 could not remember. 5. 22 - spoke to a nurse; 0 - pharmacist. 6. 20 - yes; 2 - no. 7. 21 - yes; 1 - unsure. Conclusion Of the 86 patients who were switched 22 responded to the questionnaire. 21 patients were happy with their overall experience with how the switch was conducted.