Biosimilar switches - the patient experience (NENC-BIOSIMILARS-26-V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the patient experience of biosimilar switches
IRAS ID
359834
Contact name
Katie Joyce
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NENC Integrated Care Board
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 11 days
Research summary
A qualitative study, exploring the patient experience of biosimilar switches. NHS England published the 'Commissioning framework for best value biological medicines' in April 2025. The framework stipulates a best value molecule first approach in order to realise the opportunities from expensive bioloigcal medicines losing patent exclusivivity. NHS England estimates £1billion in savings to reinvest in patient care.
North East North Cumbria Provider Collaborative launched its Medicines Value Programme in March 2025. This programme takes a collaborative approach to medicines value initiatives, including biosimilar switches. These switches are becoming increasingly frequent for patients and so it is important that we understand and learn from the patient experiences of switches thus far so that we can optimise the experience in the future.
The study would comprise of a series of focus groups. Participants would have either experienced or been asked to undertake a biosimilar switch and would be idendified by each of the 8 acute providers.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SW/0016
Date of REC Opinion
26 Feb 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion