IntroductionBenepali® was the first etanercept (Enbrel®) biosimilar to be approved in the European Union. Both Benepali and Enbrel are available as autoinjector devices. In a recent survey, nurses from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK) reported that their patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would prefer the Benepali autoinjector compared to the Enbrel MYCLIC autoinjector. To determine whether patients’ perceptions were similar to those of the nurses, this survey evaluated patients’ perceptions and preferences of the Benepali autoinjector versus the Enbrel MYCLIC autoinjector in the same five European countries.MethodsPatients with RA using the Enbrel MYCLIC autoinjector participated in a 25-min, face-to-face questionnaire-interview. Patients were also shown an instructional video and device-handling leaflet, received a live demonstration on the Benepali autoinjector, and had access to both Benepali and Enbrel MYCLIC training autoinjectors. Patients rated the importance of ten autoinjector attributes on a seven-point scale (1 = not important at all; 7 = extremely important) and provided their autoinjector preferences based on specific attributes. Patients also gave their opinion on which autoinjector they would prefer to use for self-injection.ResultsOverall, 220 patients participated in the survey (France, n = 30; Germany, n = 65; Italy, n = 67; Spain, n = 12; UK, n = 46). ‘Easy to operate the self-injection’ was ranked as the most important attribute (mean score of 6.8), followed by ‘easy to grip’ (6.5), and ‘intuitive/self-explaining usage’ (6.3). Patients preferred the Benepali autoinjector, with the attribute of ‘easier to operate’ being a strong differentiator compared to the Enbrel MYCLIC autoinjector. Most patients (74%) reported that they would prefer to use the Benepali autoinjector over the Enbrel MYCLIC autoinjector. ‘Easy to operate the self-injection’ and ‘button-free autoinjector’ were key drivers when selecting an autoinjector.ConclusionsPatients in Europe reported a preference for the Benepali autoinjector compared to the Enbrel MYCLIC autoinjector. This finding is consistent with results from a recently reported nurse survey. Funding: Biogen.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40744-016-0048-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Biogen International GmBH.

BackgroundThe first etanercept biosimilar was approved by the European Commission in January 2016. Of the 27,000 patients* estimated to be treated with etanercept biosimilar in the Europe, 5,122 patients* are estimated to be on the etanercept biosimilar in Germany at the end of the analysis period. Its usage in Europe may support healthcare sustainability by reducing costs, thereby relieving the burden on healthcare budgets and improving patient's ability to get the right care at the right time.ObjectivesThe analysis aimed to estimate the pharmacoeconomic impact of etanercept biosimilar use in Germany between March and December 2016.MethodsThe volume of etanercept biosimilar prescribed in Germany was calculated using sell-out data from retail pharmacies to patients sourced from INSIGHT Health. For this analysis, only the pre-filled syringe (PFS) and pre-filled pen (PFP) presentations of 50 mg etanercept were considered. The biosimilar volume share was calculated by dividing the total etanercept biosimilar 50 mg units prescribed by total etanercept 50 mg units prescribed. The cost savings realized through the use of the biosimilar was calculated using the INSIGHT Health volume data and the pharmacies selling price (source: Lauertaxe) of the etanercept reference product and the etanercept biosimilar. (Note: volume, volume share, patient and price data will be updated at time of presentation to reflect most current impact of etanercept biosimilars use).ResultsBased on 5,122 patients currently estimated to be treated with etanercept biosimilar (volume share of 21.4% in Dec 2016) in Germany and on the price differential between etanercept biosimilar and the reference product, a total cost saving of 8.8 million EUR was realized during the analysis period. Assuming these patients remain on etanercept biosimilar treatment, a total savings of 21.1 million EUR** can be returned annually to the healthcare system, compared to using only the reference product. This annual cost savings could be utilized to provide treatment to additional 1,208 patients with etanercept biosimilar.Table 1.No. of 50 mg Pen/PFS etanercept prescribed: March–Dec 16ProductPenPFSTotal Reference product318,317580,563898,880Biosimilar71,40840,658112,066ConclusionsExperience with etanercept biosimilar has been growing in Germany, as reflected by the growing market share. Based on the current number of patients treated with etanercept biosimilar, savings of 21.1 million EUR are projected to be returned to the health system in Germany annually. The economic burden associated with etanercept treatment is expected to decrease further with an increase in market share for the etanercept biosimilar. These savings can have a significant impact on broadening patient access to biologic treatment in Germany.References http://www.ema.europa.eu/.INSIGHT Health GmbH & Co.KG.WHO ATC/DDD classification (final) for etanercept in: WHO Drug Information Vol 15, No 2, 2001. Disclosure of InterestK. Thakur Shareholder of: Biogen, Grant/research support from: Biogen, Employee ...

Among the nine nurses who indicated a preference for the Enbrel MYCLIC autoinjector, the most common reasons given were ''easy to operate'' (n = 6), followed by ''easy to grip'' (n = 5), ''audible feedback'' (n = 4), and ''concealing the injection needle'' (n = 4) (Fig. 5).