Mepolizumab self-administration via autoinjector and prefilled syringe: the qualitative patient experience

This abstract will be presented at ERS 2019 in Madrid, Spain.

Helena Messerich is presenting this Encore on behalf of all authors with their permissions.

Background: Mepolizumab (Nucala^®) is licensed for severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA). Autoinjector (AI) and prefilled syringe (PFS) have been developed to enable in-clinic and at-home, self-administration which may improve patient treatment experience.

Objectives: To summarise qualitative interview responses to understand the PTE with mepolizumab AI and PFS.

Methods: Two studies (NCT03099096 & NCT03021304) in SEA patients evaluated the real-word use of mepolizumab (100 mg SC) self-administered via AI and PFS. To capture the PTE of self-administering, qualitative exit interviews were completed in a subset of patients enrolled [AI (n = 25) and PFS (n = 7)].

Results: [Table 1] summarises general experience responses and the most liked aspects of the mepolizumab AI and PFS.

Table 1 Qualitative PTE interview responses*.

Question	AI (N = 25)		PFS (N = 7)
	Response	n	Response	n
* Not mutually exclusive
General experience with the device	Easy to use/convenient	24	Easy to use	5
	Comfortable	10	A little cumbersome	1
	Safe to use	9
	Not painful	3
	Difficult	1
	Process was a bit cumbersome	1
Like best about the device	Convenience/can inject at home	15	Retractability of the needle	4
	Easy to use	10	Pre-packaged	1
	Quick to use/ready to inject	3	Small needle size	1
	Portability	1	Liquid is visible	1
	Frequency of injection	1	Date visible on syringe	1
	Safety	1	Convenient design	1
	You can tell when the pen is empty	1

Conclusions: Ease of use and convenience were the most dominant responses describing the patientsʼ general experience and most liked aspects of the mepolizumab AI. Ease of use and needle retractability were reported for the mepolizumab PFS.

Funding: GSK [204959 (NCT03099096) and 205667 (NCT03021304)]