Optimisation of Biosimilar Switching in Homecare Setting

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & Sciensus

Project summary

With the advent of biosimilar medicines, the NHS has been able to achieve millions of pounds in savings each year by switching patients from an originator product to a biosimilar. However, such switches can come with a huge administrative burden. Administrative functions can delay (and in some cases prevent) an efficient switch programme from taking place. Given that timely and efficient switches offer the maximum opportunity to release savings there is a risk that the NHS is missing an opportunity not to realise the maximum savings afforded by biosimilars due to intensive administrative processes.

GHFT collaborated with Sciensus Pharma and worked with colleagues within SW to develop a new switch methodology that would enable speedier uptake of cost-effective biosimilar medicines and significantly reduce the admin burden of switches to NHS clinicians and homecare providers. After pilots with dimethyl-fumarate and tocilizumab the process was enhanced and finalised for ustekinumab switch which was them implemented nationally and in addition accepted by other homecare providers.

The result was the fastest uptake of biosimilar ustekinumab in the UK in comparison to any other country worldwide.