Patient Satisfaction High Across Adalimumab Formulations for IBD Treatment

Bénédicte Caron

Credit: Edimark

New real-world research has shown that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are satisfied with all adalimumab biosimilar and reference treatments, with some levels of variance.¹

“Currently, the use of a particular adalimumab is generally based on non-medical considerations (e.g. costs or additional services for patients). To our knowledge, no data are available for comparisons between biosimilars of adalimumab regarding satisfaction and tolerability, which are unknown. Patient satisfaction with treatment is positively associated with treatment adherence. We need to look beyond efficacy and safety by investigating patient satisfaction to be able to make the right choice,” lead investigator Bénédicte Caron, Department of Gastroenterology, NFINY Institute and FHU-CURE, Nancy University Hospital, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, Inserm, NGERE, University of Lorraine, Nancy, France, and colleagues wrote.¹

Caron and colleagues analyzed data from 941 people with IBD being treated with adalimumab. They performed a one-way analysis of variance to analyze the differences in responses, followed by Tukey’s honest significant difference test. Participants most commonly used Humira (n = 436; 46.3%), Amgevita (n = 177; 18.8%), and Hulio (n = 1-5; 11.2%). Overall, participants had a mean overall satisfaction rate with adalimumab of 8.5 (standard deviation [SD], 1.8). Patients treated with Humira (8.6; SD, 1.5), Hulio (8.6; SD, 1.8), or Amgevita (8.5; SD, 1.4) had the highest overall satisfaction, which was statistically significant from other participants’ satisfaction (P <.05).¹

Looking at injection device satisfaction, patients using the subcutaneous injection form had the highest satisfaction with Yuflyma® (9.0; SD, 1.4), Humira (8.9; SD, 1.3) and Hulio (8.9; SD, 1.7; P <.05). Around one-third (n = 299; 31.8%) of all participants had injection site reactions. Over one-fifth of patients (n = 223; 23.7%) were previously treated with another adalimumab of which 32 (14.3%) discontinued treatment due to adverse events.¹

“In conclusion, this study demonstrated a high level of satisfaction among IBD patients with their adalimumab treatment. Our results suggest a benefit for Hulio, Humira and Amgevita in terms of overall satisfaction, and for Yuflyma, Hulio or Humira in terms of satisfaction with the injection device. Satisfaction measurement is therefore an essential tool for optimal patient care. Patient preferences could possibly have implications, along with other treatment considerations, for future treatment decisions in the management of patients with IBD,” Caron and colleagues concluded.¹

One adalimumab biosimilar, adalimumab-adbm (Cyltezo), is now available at a 92% discount from the reference drug (adalimumab, Humira) list price after Boehringer Ingelheim and GoodRx partnered to offer both discounted high-concentration and low-concentration citrate-free formulations in July 2024.²

The new patient affordability initiative allows patients to receive citrate-free formulations at the exclusive cost of $550 per 2-pack, marking an important step in improving access, affordability, and outcomes among an historically high-cost therapeutic category. Patients, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase the biosimilar at over 70,000 pharmacies in the US.²

The formulations available to be discounted are a pre-filled syringe (10 mg/0.2 mL, 20 mg/0.4 mL, 40 mg/0.8 mL, or 40 mg/0.4 mL) or autoinjector (40 mg/0.8 mL or 40 mg/0.4 mL).²

REFERENCES
1. Caron B, Seksik P, Buisson A, et al. Patient preferences for adalimumab in inflammatory bowel disease: a nationwide study from the GETAID. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2024;17. doi:10.1177/17562848241265776
2. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. Boehringer Ingelheim and GoodRx announce exclusive patient affordability initiative for Adalimumab-ADBM injection, Boehringer’s biosimilar to Humira®. PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing. July 18, 2024. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boehringer-ingelheim-and-goodrx-announce-exclusive-patient-affordability-initiative-for-adalimumab-adbm-injection-boehringers-biosimilar-to-humira-302199865.html.