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Effectiveness of implementing biosimilars within a UK tertiary hospital; six-years follow up
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  • Andrew Barron,
  • Jennifer Chung,
  • Robin Ferner,
  • Maria Leandro,
  • Saloni Maru,
  • Andrew Scourfield,
  • Robert Urquhart,
  • Reecha Sofat
Andrew Barron
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Corresponding Author:andrewbarron@nhs.net

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Jennifer Chung
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Robin Ferner
West Midlands Centre for Adverse Drug Reactions
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Maria Leandro
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Saloni Maru
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Andrew Scourfield
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Robert Urquhart
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Reecha Sofat
University of Liverpool
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Abstract

Health systems encourage switching from originators to biosimilars as biosimilars are more cost-effective. The speed and completeness of biosimilar adoption is a measure of efficiency. We describe the approach to biosimilar adoption at a single hospital and compare its efficiency against the English average. We additionally follow up patients who reverted to a previously used biologic, having switched to a biosimilar, to establish whether they benefitted from re-establishing prior treatment. The approach we describe resulted in a faster and more complete switch to biosimilars, which saved an additional £380,000 on drug costs in 2021/22. Of patients who reverted to their original biologic, 85% improved short-term where the concern was tolerability, and 90% where it was efficacy. Patients remained on treatment for a prolonged period after reverting. Our approach to biosimilar adoption outperformed the English average and permits patients to revert to their original biosimilar post-switch if appropriate.
15 Feb 2023Submitted to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
17 Feb 2023Submission Checks Completed
17 Feb 2023Assigned to Editor
17 Feb 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 May 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
12 Jun 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
25 Jun 20231st Revision Received
26 Jun 2023Submission Checks Completed
26 Jun 2023Assigned to Editor
26 Jun 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Jul 2023Editorial Decision: Accept