BGMA welcomes Inflixmab biosimilar resource

The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) has welcomed the publication by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) of an implementation pack to support the introduction of biosimilar versions of Infliximab.

The BGMA – representing more than 90% of the UK generics and biosimilars industry – said the move is a critical step in publicising the benefits of these important medicines.

The implementation pack has been developed for both clinical and non-clinical staff to help them manage the introduction of biosimilar medicines into their care pathways safely and effectively.

The UK patent on Infliximab expired in February and two biosimilar products were launched that are now available to NHS clinicians and patients under the separate brand names Inflectra and Remsima. These were the first biosimilar launches since NICE updated its methods for providing guidance and advice on biosimilar medicines earlier this year.

The newly published NICE resource looks at how NHS organisations can safely and effectively transition from Infliximab to Inflectra or Remsima, providing real-life insights from NHS clinicians who have already switched to these new technologies. This includes advice from case studies at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Additionally it covers:

• Practical advice on how to effectively introduce biosimilars into the care pathway, taken from case studies carried out in two NHS Foundation trusts.

• Important advice on possible barriers to implementation and how to overcome these.

• Information on the opportunities for cost-savings and re-investment.

• A process to implement a well-managed safe switching programme to biosimilars.