Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: In patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) somatostatin analogues are used to control symptoms in patients with functioning tumours and as antiproliferative agents in those with non-functioning tumours. During COVID-19, the ‘Sandostatin Your Choice’ service was terminated by Novartis, removing home care nurses from administering the analogue in patients’ homes. The first generic version of depot octreotide was Olatuton® produced by Teva, and this was commissioned at a dose of 30 mg per month. At a given dose a generic should have the same clinical and side effect profile. We conducted a patient survey to assess clinical changes, side effects and satisfaction with Olatuton®.

Method: Paper questionnaires with prepaid return envelopes, were sent out in February 2022 to all 90 neuroendocrine patients switched to Olatuton® who are under the care of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. These consisted of 14 MCQs that assessed side effects, tolerance and service satisfaction.

Results: There was a 59% response rate. 34% of patients noted new symptoms with the switch to Olatuton®. 36% stated new injection site symptoms, 55% noticed gastrointestinal symptoms and 36% noticed hyperglycaemic symptoms. 68% of all patients stated they were “very satisfied” with the home care nursing team.

Conclusions: Two thirds of patients tolerated the switch to Olatuton® without any problems or dosage issues. However, 21% required a change to an alternative somatostatin analogue, with yellow cards completed in these instances due to an exacerbation of the expected GI side effect profile (very much like a de novo start), increased pain at injection site and loss of control of symptoms. In some cases, this experience generated concern of clinical disease progression for the patients. However, patients were highly satisfied with the home care service provided, which is of paramount importance in pandemic times.