Breaking Down Biosimilars

By: Global Healthy Living Foundation
  • Summary

  • A podcast that sheds light on biosimilars and helps you better understand the role they play in your healthcare, now and in the future. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Zoe Rothblatt and Conner Mertens, both Patient Advocates and Community Outreach Managers at GHLF.

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Episodes
  • How Similar Are Biosimilars to Biologics? Part I
    Oct 17 2022

    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.

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    23 mins
  • How Similar Are Biosimilars to Biologics?  Part II
    Oct 17 2022

    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.

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    20 mins
  • Ep 1- Biosimilars 101
    Dec 15 2021

    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.

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    12 mins

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