Biosimilar void
Looking ahead to 2032, for nearly one third of biologics coming off patent, there is currently no biosimilar candidate in development. This means substantial savings are unlikely to be realised.
At our July conference, the then Minister for Medicines, Karin Smyth, expressed her ambition to make the UK a world-class launch destination for biosimilars – a goal echoed in the national Industrial Strategy and Life Sciences Sector Plan.
To realise this opportunity, we urge the government to:
- Continue to support the positive engagement between Medicines UK and NHS England to enhance the regulatory and procurement environment, thereby making the UK market more attractive for launching biosimilars beyond the high-value 'gold list'.
- Commit to funding NICE technology appraisals for biosimilars to widen patient access to previously more expensive and therefore limited treatments. Most biosimilar suppliers will not ordinarily pay £500,000–750,000 for the total appraisal costs, including in-house and consultancy expertise, when it confers no benefit over a competitor and simply increases the cost of goods. This will cost the government several million pounds a year but will be offset many times over by the savings to the NHS. Additionally, an abridged cost-effectiveness appraisal may be possible for some biosimilars.
- Rethink the current VPAG tax of 10–35% since it clearly makes supply to the UK less attractive and competitive, particularly for smaller patient populations.
A concerted focus on biosimilars will not only deliver significant savings but also strengthen the UK's position as a global leader in life sciences innovation and access.