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Biosimilars

A biosimilar medicine is a biological medicine manufactured to be similar to an existing licensed ‘reference’ biological medicine. It has no meaningful differences from the original biological medicine (originator) in terms of quality, safety or efficacy.

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Due to the complex manufacturing process, as these medicines are made from living organisms using biotechnology techniques, biosimilars are not classed as ‘generic’ medicines, because they are not absolutely identical to the original biologic medicine.

NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) has developed an informative animation to explain what a biosimilar is and why they are now being introduced.

This video has been developed with patients and rheumatologists to offer patients information on what to expect when making a switch to a biosimilar.

Ailsa sits down with Professor Peter Taylor and talks about biosimilars and switching from a biologic to its biosimilars.

Biosimilar adalimumab is a test of shared decision making in the NHS
The entry of new biosimilars and the creation of an NHS ‘local market of treatment options’ will see significant numbers of patients switched from the originator product, Humira, to one of four biosimilar alternatives this year.

Why you could be asked to switch to a biosimilar medicine

Biosimilar medicines represent very good value for the NHS since they are often much less costly than the originator medicine. Therefore the NHS is asking clinical teams, in discussion with individual patients, to ensure they are using the best value biological medicines – whether that is the originator biological medicine or a new biosimilar medicine – so that the money saved can be reinvested in new medicines and treatments for patients.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and NHS England (NHSE) briefing on best value biological medicines for specialist nurses

Biosimilar medicines and switching programmes in RA. 

Adalimumab Patient Working Group – August 2018
NRAS is working with NHSE as a member of their main National Biosimilar Programme Board to ensure that the needs of patients with RA are represented at national level in regard to switching programmes.

NRAS is also a key member of the NHSE Adalimumab Patient Working Group advising NHS England on patient issues around switching to Adalimumab (Humira) biosimilars which will be coming to the UK market at the end of the year when Adalimumab comes off patent. This will introduce another 4 biosimilar therapies to those which already exist for other originator biologic therapies:  Etanercept (Enbrel) – Benepali, Rituximab (Mabthera) – Rituxan and Infliximab (Remicade) – Inflectra and Remsima.
We and patient organisations representing people with other auto-immune conditions such as Crohn’s and Colitis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Axial Spondyloarthritis have collaborated with NHSE to develop a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document about the introduction of the new biosimilars for Adalimumab and a template letter which hospitals can use to inform patients about switching from Adalimumab. Both of these documents are now available on the Specialist Pharmacy Service website.

If you have any general questions about biosimilars, do contact our Helpline who are available between 09.30-16.30 Mon-Fri. If you have experience of being switched onto a biosimilar which you would like to share with us, good or bad, please email me: ailsa@nras.org.uk

Ailsa Bosworth MBE
NRAS Founder and National Patient Champion

 

Medicines in rheumatoid arthritis

We believe it is essential that people living with RA understand why certain medicines are used, when they are used and how they work to manage the condition.

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