Getting the NHS ready for the biosimilar boom: Shifting attitudes, acceptance and appetites

11^th European Biosimilars Congress

April 26-27, 2018 Rome, Italy

Theo Christie

National Institute for Health Research, UK

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Bioanal Biomed

Abstract :

The biosimilars market is going to heat up considerably over the next three years - but is the NHS ready for the biosimilars boom? The NIHR Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) - the research delivery arm of the NHS - offers a unique insight into the biosimilar landscape in the UK. The NHS deals with over 1 million patients every 36 hours. It is therefore a huge user and thus purchaser all categories of medicines. In this context/to most, biosimilars are a no-brainer. With the promise of a smaller price tag than original biologics, they have the potential to deliver NHS cost-savings and help ensure the sustainability of public healthcare systems, whilst also broadening access to healthcare so that greater numbers of patients can be treated with cutting edge biologic medicines. What�s not to like? But as with anything new, there are always early skeptics. Our industry partners in the past have voiced a lack of interest and willing from invesitgators to conduct biosimilar research. The NIHR CRN launched it�s biosimilar offer almost 1 year ago and can now report that the tide has turned and attitudes and acceptance in relation to biosimilars in the UK are changing. The NIHR CRN is an independent, government-funded organisation, which has devised an offer to industry centered around support for biosimilar research. We can show you a range of perspecitves from clinicians and company case studies to show how this tide is turning and that the UK is open for business to biosimilar research. theo.christie@nihr.ac.uk