Biomedicines

(asked on 22nd December 2015) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what work has been undertaken by NHS England to ensure that prescribers and commissioners have the right information to introduce biosimilar medicines in a safe and sustainable way.


This question was answered on 6th January 2016

NHS England is undertaking a programme of work to engage, inform and support commissioners, clinicians, pharmacists, patients and others in their consideration of the optimal use of biosimilar medicines. In September 2015 they published a What is a Biosimilar Medicine? guide, which provides an update for clinical and non-clinical stakeholders about the developing role of biosimilar medicines in the NHS in England and to support the safe, effective and consistent use of all biological medicines, including biosimilar medicines, to the benefit of patients. A copy is attached and is also available at:


https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/biosimilar-guide.pdf


NHS England has also convened a National Biosimilar Medicines Group, chaired by the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, whose role includes improving education and understanding of both the theory and practical considerations related to biosimilar medicines.


Guidance to prescribers requires them to explain to patients the likely benefits, risks and burdens, including serious and common side effects of treatments they are proposing. The What is a Biosimilar Medicine? guide makes it clear that patients’ needs preferences and values are an essential part of evidence based medicine. Local collaborations involving both patients and clinicians have been successful in introducing biosimilars.

Reticulating Splines