The solution
We opted for qualitative telephone interviews to reach a dispersed and small target group of new biosimilar users (physicians & patients) and discuss individual perceptions and experiences. Respondents were recruited successfully through a good network of local recruiters as well as physician referrals.
In addition, we recruited patients at different stages in the patient journey including biologic naïve and switch patients (from a biologic to a biosimilar as well as switch from biosimilar back to the originator biologic) to understand rationale for treatment selection and to be able to compare experiences between the originator biologic vs. biosimilar.
The interview explored the respondent’s general perception of biosimilars (vs. biologics), decision making for a biosimilar, satisfaction with the biosimilar and potentially a different mode of administration, and perception of the switching process (if applicable).