4CPS-008 Impact of pharmaceutical interview in patient acceptance of insulin glargine’s biosimilar 100UI/ml

Background The insulin glargine’s biosimilar (IB) has been marketed since 2016, and is far less costly for the healthcare system, but their prescription is not yet predominant. To prescribe a biosimilar, the patient must be informed on what constitutes a biosimilar and must provide his agreement. Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of diabetic patients concerning their therapy by insulin glargine, to inform them about biosimilars and to assess the impact of a pharmaceutical interview in IB patient acceptance. Material and methods We carried out a prospective study during 2 months (June to July 2018) in our diabetology department. All patients hospitalised with insulin glargine were included. We used a questionnaire to analyse knowledge of the patients about biologics drugs and biosimilars. After a pharmaceutical interview carried out by a resident pharmacist to present biologics drugs and biosimilars to patients, we evaluated, with a questionnaire, their acceptance of biosimilars switch. Results As of now, the rate of insulin glargine prescription is 71% at the hospital and 54% in our diabetology unit. Fifty-four patients were included (sex-ratio: 0.64; average age: 51, SD:19.51; Type-1 diabetes: 48%). Among these, 17% were using IB. Ninety-four per cent of the patients did not know what a biologic drug was. Among the patients using IB, 89% did not know they were having an IB. Ninety-eight per cent of patients included wanted to receive information about biosimilars during a pharmaceutical interview. After being informed about biosimilars, 85% of patients would be in favour of the biosimilars switch. Conclusion This study shows that there is a real lack of patients’ knowledge and information concerning insulin therapy and biosimilars. It also proves that pharmaceutical interviews can improve the acceptance of biosimilars switch. Information sheets will be used in pharmaceutical interviews to improve this knowledge and, at the end, to improve the prescriptions of the IB. Training sessions for the residents could be also established to reach the IB prescriptions’ objective. This will help to improve the acceptance of the IB with diabetic patients and to assess the potential economic impact of switching the insulin with a biosimilar. References and/or acknowledgements No conflict of interest.