Hawkins, T and Emery, P (2015) Biosimilar medicines in rheumatology. Clinical Pharmacist, 7 (10). ISSN 1758-9061
Abstract
Biosimilar medicines are biological medicines that have been developed to be highly similar and clinically equivalent to an existing biological medicine. The introduction of these medicines provides additional patient choice and enables financial savings. These savings can be used within the NHS to help support the use of new treatments as they become available and further develop services for patients. The NHS already has a history of using biosimilar medicines for indications such as growth hormone deficiency, neutropenia associated with chemotherapy and anaemia related to renal disease. Biosimilar infliximab is now available for the management of a number of rheumatology conditions and, in the next few years, additional biosimilar medicines will become available for rheumatology patients. The introduction of biosimilars requires careful planning, the expertise of a multidisciplinary team and effective communication. Of utmost importance is the involvement of the patient in the decision to use a biosimilar. Current NHS policy states: "The decision to prescribe a biological medicine for an individual patient, whether an originator or biosimilar medicine, rests with the responsible clinician in consultation with the patient.".
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Medicine (Leeds) > Institute of Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM) (Leeds) > Clinical Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 02 Aug 2016 13:36 |
Last Modified: | 03 Nov 2016 05:24 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1211/CP.2015.20200018 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain |
Identification Number: | 10.1211/CP.2015.20200018 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:93912 |