NHS England Press Release – Adalimumab Patent Expiry

NHS England have issued a Press Release announcing that the NHS is set “to save £150 million by switching to new versions of most costly drug.”

NHS Hospitals have been asked “to ensure they are ready to realise savings of up to £150 million a year to reinvest in frontline care after the patent on the NHS’s most costly drug [adalimumab / Humira®] ends this week.”

NHS England has issued guidance to Trusts and CCGs telling them that nine out of 10 new patients should be started on the best value medicine within three months of a biosimilar launch. At least 80% of existing patients should be switched to the best value biologic (which could be the originator or a biosimilar) within 12 months.