The NHS releases biosimilar medicines publication

NHS England has released a new publication ‘What is a biosimilar medicine?’

The publication is a result of collaborative working between the Medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA), NHS England, National Institute of Health & Care Excellence (NICE), the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and the pharmaceutical industry trade associations. 

The document is the first collaborative publication on biosimilar medicines at a country level, following the 2013 launch of the European Commission’s consensus document, ‘What you need to know about biosimilar medicinal products’

Biological medicines have changed patient treatment by offering medicines for acute and chronic conditions. 

NHS England has said that as the original biological medicines come off patent and more biosimilar medicines become available, it is important that all staff in the NHS with responsibility for biological medicines, including biosimilar medicines, are given authoritative information to support their successful introduction.

This publication released by the NHS provides clinical and non-clinical stakeholders with accessible information on how to support the appropriate use of all biological medicines, including biosimilar medicines for the benefit of NHS patients.

Drawing on NHS, regulatory, professional and industry expertise, the document provides an authoritative source of reference on this complex topic.

Keith Ridge, chief pharmaceutical officer, NHS England, said: "As the range of biosimilar medicines increases it is important that the NHS plans for their introduction. 

“All staff in the NHS need to understand more about biosimilars - I hope the information contained in this document will serve that purpose, and will help ensure the NHS makes the most of these important medicines."