The
first biosimilars to be introduced in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis came to
the UK market in early 2015. However,
the most commonly prescribed biologic comes off patent on 16th
October 2018. Whilst Abbvie’s Humira
(Adalimumab) will still be available, a number of Adalimumab biosimilar
products will also be coming to market.
Helen
McAteer, CEO of the Psoriasis Association, has been working with NHS England on
their Adalimumab Patient Working Group with other patient organisations
representing immune mediated inflammatory diseases, including Rheumatoid
Arthritis, Axial Spondyloarthopathies, and Crohn’s & Colitis. We and NHS England
wanted to ensure that issues which matter and are important to patients in
regard to switching from an originator drug to its biosimilar, are understood
and taken into account.
The
four organisations representing patients for whom this will most affect
provided the following quote in respect of the NHS England Press Release:
“We
welcome increased availability of effective treatment options for patients and
understand the importance of the wise and careful use of NHS resources. Our
organisations have been working in the field of biosimilars to provide patient
information and support since 2014 and are familiar with the evidence to date
which reinforces the fact that biosimilars are as safe and effective as the
reference products. The introduction of biosimilars for adalimumab brings
opportunities for both patients and the NHS. However, it is vital that patients
are fully informed about all the treatment options available to them and
commissioners and health professionals adopt the principles of shared
decision-making. At a time when services are thinking about new contracts, we
would also hope that patients’ views are proactively sought and that things
that matter to patients, including excipients, device and homecare packages,
are given due consideration.”
NHS
England has announced that the biosimilar versions of Adalimumab are expected
to be available to NHS patients from December 2018. NHS England is expecting to make monetary
savings on the prescription of Adalimumab due to increased competition.
Helen
McAteer, Chief Executive of the Psoriasis Association says:
“The
biologics revolution has completely changed the experiences patients have of
living with moderate to severe psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis. Weeks spent as an inpatient are now unheard
of thanks to these highly sophisticated injections and infusions. Patients are acutely aware of how stretched
the NHS resources are, and understand the need to use the best value biologic
for their condition and lifestyle.
Biologics,
like patients, are complex and so the need to find the best value, most
appropriate treatment must be achieved through shared-decision making between
clinician and patient. Biosimilars have
proven efficacy and so the Psoriasis Association supports their use when the
originator product might ordinarily have been given, providing
the standard of support to patients is equal to, or better than that already
offered, and that manufacturers contribute to biologics registries such as
BADBIR."
For more information, please do get in touch.