Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans NHS England has to (a) engage with patient groups to explain biosimilar medicines and (b) discuss how such medicines can be integrated into patient care in a safe and sustainable way.

A national Biosimilar Medicines Programme Board, chaired by NHS England’s Chief Pharmaceutical officer, Dr Keith Ridge, was established in 2015. The Board provides strategic advice and direction to NHS England in relation to a national programme of work focused on increasing access and uptake of biosimilar medicines, in a safe and sustainable way. Patient groups are represented on this board and other delivery partners include:

- The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry;

- The British Generic Manufacturers Association;

- The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence;

- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency;

- Clinicians;

- Commissioners; and

- NHS England and Departmental Policy Makers.

The board has overseen three specific strands of work:

- Development of a Commissioning Framework;

- Development of a set of indicators for biosimilar medicines; and

- A communication and education work stream.

A sub group comprising membership from the national Biosimilar Medicines Programme Board, including patient group representation, was established to look at communication and education material for biosimilars. This group will continue to play a pivotal role in terms of ensuring consistency in key messages to the public.