Biosimilar Medicines

Biosimilar adalimumab will become available to the NHS in December 2018.

Please see our Patient ‘Frequently asked questions’ – biosimilar adalimumab which has been written and approved by North Middlesex University Hospital (NMUH), Royal Free Hospital (RFH; including Barnet and Chase Farm), Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and the Whittington Hospital (WH).

Patient groups are supportive of the use of biosimilar adalimumab. Their websites have additional information on biological medicines and biosimilars:

• Crohn’s and Colitis UK
• National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society
• National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society
• Psoriasis Association

Patients are encouraged to call the biosimilar support team on 0203 447 2863 (9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday) for any additional information about biosimilar medicines.

Biosimilar etanercept first became available in February 2016.

More than 90% of patients treated within North Central London are now using biosimilar etanercept (period Jul-Sep 2018).

Biosimilar rituximab first became available in April 2017.

More than 95% of patients treated within North Central London are now using biosimilar rituximab (period Jul-Sep 2018).

Biosimilar trastuzumab first became available in March 2018.

The Cancer Vanguard provides example patient information leaflets, educational materials for clinical staff and proposed timelines for the successful introduction of biosimilar medicines. North Central London have adapted this work for use by our patients:

Patient information leaflet – For Patients Changed from Trastuzumab to a Trastuzumab Biosimilar