Pharma Challenge resources improve understanding of biosimilars

08 Aug 2017

NHS England specialised commissioning is recommending that Trusts looking to implement biosimilars make use of the resources developed for the Cancer Vanguard Pharma Challenge.

Biosimilars offer significant potential savings if successfully adopted, and they are becoming available for oncology patients. Recognising their importance, NHS England has developed a Medicines Optimisation CQUIN to incentivise the NHS to increase their uptake.

The biosimilars resources, developed through a joint working arrangement with Sandoz, include an easy-to-use interactive document, which takes the user through a step-by-step process prior to and post introduction of a biosimilar into a Trust, and templates that can be adapted for local use. The material can help healthcare professionals to better inform cancer patients about biosimilars and assist in their timely introduction when appropriate.

Over 100 clinicians from the pilot sites – The Royal Marsden and UCLH – have already taken part in education and training sessions. Wider rollout and further engagement with other RM Partners organisations is due to take place shortly.

The biosimilars adoption resources are available on the Cancer Vanguard website.

For more information contact Tim Bill, project manager, at Timothy.Bill@nhs.net