Perspectives on Drug Product Design Among Patients with Lung Cancer in the United Kingdom

The use of oral anticancer medications has become more prevalent in cancer therapy. This is particularly the case in the management of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, when the treatment delivery interaction between the patient and the healthcare provider is removed, the risk of non-adherence increases. Insights into patient preferences can allow drug product formulation scientists to design more patient-centric medications that may promote an increase in adherence which, in turn, may lead to more beneficial health outcomes.

We conducted an advisory board with patients with NSCLC in the United Kingdom to elicit and understand preferences for drug product attributes related to appearance, instructions, and modality. The advisory board was preceded by a quantitative preference survey that included three object-case best-worst scaling exercises and was followed by administering the same survey to a broader group of patients to confirm the results.

Patients strongly prefer once-daily dosing over more frequent dosing, regardless of the number of pills because taking tablets or capsules multiple times each day can disrupt daily activities. In addition, patients place high importance on surface smoothness because a rough surface implies decreased swallowability. Finally, food restrictions involving directions regarding taking medication with or without food represent difficulties for patients with cancer. Results of the follow-up survey confirmed these results.

Drug developers should attempt to limit the dosing of these medications to once-daily regimens, avoid surface roughness, and develop formulations that can be taken without regard to the timing of meals to the greatest extent possible.