Industry Trade Associations Voice Support for Collaborations in Biosimilar Medicines

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) and the British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) have welcomed NHS England’s new publication “What is a biosimilar medicine?” the first collaborative publication on biosimilar medicines at a country level since the European Commission’s consensus document, “What you need to know about biosimilar medicinal products.”

This document, the 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, provides key 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.

Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, NHS England, said: "As the range of biosimilar medicines increases, it is important that the NHS plans for their timely, appropriate and cost effective introduction.  Therefore all staff in the NHS, from senior managers to commissioners, through to front line health professionals 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."

Virginia Acha, Executive Director, Research, Medical and Innovation at the ABPI said: “Europe has been leading the global development and regulation of biosimilars for over 10 years.  Patients and healthcare systems benefit from additional choices and increased competition which biosimilars in a range of treatment areas can provide.  ABPI and its members believe that what we need now is a process for translating the successful experience of biosimilar development and regulation into the clinical pathway.  This NHS publication is a critical step in developing the understanding and awareness to do this - we thank NHS England and all of the contributing organisations for a robust and successful collaboration.  We hope that this publication sparks conversation and improves understanding amongst healthcare professionals, patients and all those with an interest in biosimilar medicines.”