New biosimilars are coming to market and there is a lot of confusion among patients about what this will mean for their treatment plan. We called on patient advocates Cristina Montoya and Lene Andersen to hear directly about their experience on a biologic and biosimilar, respectively.

In this first of a two-part episode, Cristina discusses starting a biosimilar and Lene shares about her experience on a biologic. We learn about the types of questions and concerns that go into treatment decisions, the nerves of starting a new treatment, and how support programs can help.

"You know, let's give it a try,” says Cristina, when sharing with us what she said to her rheumatologist about trying her first biosimilar, “and I felt better knowing that I've been having this conversation for a long time.”

Among the highlights in this episode:

03:26- Zoe and Conner kick off the episode by introducing special guests Lene Anderson and Cristina Montoya

04:27- Zoe asks Cristina and Lene about the first time they heard about biosimilars

06:01- Cristina tells Zoe about the change in her mindset about biosimilars

07:33- Conner and Zoe clarify and differentiate the terms biologics and biosimilars

07:52- Cristina walks us through the process of getting prescribed a biosimilar

10:59- Lene and Cristina discuss the use of patient support programs

12:26- Zoe and Conner pause to reflect on the conversation so far and to give three helpful tips

15:43- Cristina shares that despite initial hurdles, delivery of her biosimilars has been on schedule

16:43- Cristina shares the questions and concerns she had before starting biosimilars

19:04- Lene shares her questions and concerns about biosimilars

Contact Our Hosts:

Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director, Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: cmertens@ghlf.org

We’d love to hear what you think. Send your comments to BreakingDownBiosimilars@GHLF.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Through conversations with patient advocates Cristina Montoya and Lene Andersen, we learn that many of the emotions and discussions around starting (and staying on) a treatment are in fact the same for biosimilars and biologics.

In the second of a two-part episode, Cristina and Lene discuss that feeling when you know your treatment is working, the possibility of adjusting medications, and ultimately, if they feel more comfortable with biosimilars.

“One of the things that can be such a joyful part of the process is when it starts working.  And all of a sudden, you can do this thing that you haven't been able to do for months. And that's really incredible,” says Lene Andersen.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:50- Lene and Cristina tell Zoe and Conner what injection day is like

04:21- Lene and Cristina talk about the side effects that may come on injection day

06:08- Lene and Cristina talk about the process of getting the timing of their injections correct

08:26- Zoe asks Lene and Cristina what they decide to bring up with their physician at appointments

11:01- Lene and Cristina share the moments of joy where they noticed the treatments were working

12:27- Conners asks Cristina if she is happy that she made the switch to biosimilars

13:05- Zoe asks Lene about her thoughts on biosimilars after hearing Cristina share her experience

16:03- Lene and Cristina remind the listener that the symptoms of arthritis are guaranteed, the side effects from the treatments vary

Contact Our Hosts:

Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director, Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: cmertens@ghlf.org

We’d love to hear what you think. Send your comments to BreakingDownBiosimilars@GHLF.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Biosimilar medications were introduced into the US market in 2015, but they’re still relatively unfamiliar to many people. In our first episode, co-hosts Zoe Rothblatt and Conner Mertens provide an overview of biosimilars – what they are, how they can help with certain medical conditions, and the main differences between biosimilars, biologics and generic medications.

“If we have a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and they take the original biologic or the biosimilar, their rheumatoid arthritis will improve with either of them,” says internal medicine physician Dr. Sameer Awsare.

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:27 - Common questions about biosimilars

2:07 – How are generic drugs different from biologic drugs?

2:48 – The complexities of replicating a biologic drug

4:33 – Are biosimilars just as effective as biologics?

6:11 – Talking to your doctor about taking a biosimilar

10:13 – New developments on the horizon

Contact Our Hosts:

Zoe Rothblatt, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF. zrothblatt@ghlf.org

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF. cmertens@ghlf.org

We’d love to hear what you think. Send your comments to BreakingDownBiosimilars@GHLF.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.