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Are patients being switched to bio-similar remicade without prior knowledge?

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Posted 11/13/2019 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering if this is happening ?

Thank you
Posted 11/13/2019 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hope not. Has it happened to you?
Posted 11/13/2019 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
My specialty pharmacy (Walgreens Alliance) told me they do not do that. There was a mix-up at the infusion center and they tried to give me Inflectra that my old doctor had ordered for me a year prior and which was still sitting in their fridge (and which I never ended up starting on that year), but they did tell me first and it was a mistake and odd situation.

You can always read the med name on your bag to make sure it's correct or ask to see right before they start your infusion.
Posted 11/13/2019 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
This happened to me on October 24.The Biosimilar Renflexis was sitting there all prepared and waiting for me when I walked in the door at my infusion center. I have been going to the same infusion center for over 2 years and the same RN always prepares my meds. She never prepares the meds before I walk in just in case I'm a no show.

I called medicare and they said they didn't tell the doctors or clinics that they needed to change my medication to a biosimilar. The doctor said that he did not sign off on a med change to Renflexis. So he changed me back to Remicade.

Just wanted to add just because this happened to me doesn't mean it will happen to anyone else here on the forum or at the medical center that you go to.

Post Edited (newme22) : 11/13/2019 6:24:40 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/13/2019 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
New Me, I asked after reading your post. My daughter had a problem and had to go off remicade after 5 years. She's still having problems, a year later.
Your post made me think, anything is possible.
I know they use bio-similar when people are aware, but maybe something slipped by.
She doesn't live at home anymore and maybe we missed paper work.
Just a thought. We are in New York. I will ask if that could have happened next time I'm there.
I'm sorry that happened to you and appreciate that you made it known and will get Remicade brand again.

Thank you.

Post Edited (jayce) : 11/12/2019 8:51:32 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/13/2019 4:25 AM (GMT 0)

jayce said...
New Me, I asked after reading your post. My daughter had a problem and had to go off remicade after 5 years. She's still having problems, a year later.
Your post made me think, anything is possible.
I know they use bio-similar when people are aware, but maybe something slipped by.
She doesn't live at home anymore and maybe we missed paper work.
Just a thought. We are in New York. I will ask if that could have happened next time I'm there.
I'm sorry that happened to you and appreciate that you made it known and will get Remicade brand again.

Thank you.


Jayce..Thank you for your genuine and sincere concern,
I am so sorry your daughter isn't doing well right now. I hope my story helps you both in some way and that your daughter gets back to a healthy and happy life soon. It is really hard to know who you can believe and trust in this world that we live in now.
My prayers go up and out to you both. Bless you and keep you safe as you find your way.

Post Edited (newme22) : 11/13/2019 5:49:58 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/13/2019 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
I would hope that your insurance would tell you before switching you. Pharmacies (including the hospital pharmacies that dispense remicade to us when we arrive for our infusions) might see brandname equivalent to generic and give you that instead.

I've wondered if I should look at what I get and see if it is the brandnamed.
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