ABPI updates recommendations on use of biosimilars

The UK trade body the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries (ABPI) has launched the third edition of its position paper on biosimilar medicines, which makes seven recommendations covering areas where action is needed.

The recommendations are aimed at regulators, health technology assessment (HTA) agencies, National Health Service (NHS) commissioners and health care professionals who prescribe or dispense biosimilar medicines. The recommendations highlight the importance of robust patient safety monitoring to enable compliance with European Union pharmacovigilance legislation and clear guidance and information to educate prescribers and patients, ensuring they are aware of the important differences between biological medicines and chemically developed (smaller molecule) medicines.

ABPI director of value and access Paul Catchpole said: “It is important that both patients and prescribers have a full understanding of the differences between biosimilar medicines and more traditional, chemically produced medicines. This should happen at every stage of a patient’s treatment journey, particularly if there are changes being made to the medicines they receive. The ABPI position paper provides an authoritative list of recommendations to inform the NHS and regulators on the appropriate use of these medicines, and to help ensure patients who would benefit from biosimilar medicines can get appropriate access to them.”