Biological and biosimilar medicines (biosimilars)

A biological medicine, or biologic, is a type of hospital treatment for some long-term medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis.

The medicine is made from proteins and other substances produced by the body.

It's a liquid that's given as a drip or injection pen.

A biosimilar is a newer version of the original biological drug. It works in the same way.

Why use biosimilars?

Biosimilar medicines generally cost less than the "original brand" biological medicine, but they're just as safe and effective.

Switching patients from the original biological medicine to a biosimilar could save the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds.

And you shouldn't notice any difference – your body should respond in the same way to the newer version of the medicine.

Are biosimilars safe?

Biosimilars are thoroughly tested in clinical trials to show they work just as well and are just as safe as the original biological medicine.

To be used in the UK, biosimilars must be approved and licensed in the same way as all medicines.

Are biosimilars the same as generics?

No. Generics are exact copies of the original medicine – for example, a supermarket-brand ibuprofen is the generic version or copy of Nurofen.

Biosimilars aren't generics because they aren't completely identical to the original medicine. But they're just as safe and effective.

Switching to a biosimilar version of adalimumab (Humira)

Adalimumab is a biological medicine used to treat inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn's disease, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The brand name of the original drug is Humira.

Biosimilar versions of adalimumab will be available in the NHS from December 2018.

If you have been taking adalimumab (Humira) and your hospital decides to start using biosimilars, you should receive a letter explaining this.

It should give details of who you can contact if you have any questions.

You should be offered a conversation with your doctor or specialist nurse before you're prescribed a biosimilar.

Any decision to switch to a biosimilar will take into account your needs and preferences, as well as the available clinical evidence.

Together with your doctor or nurse, you can agree on the best medicine for you. In some cases this may mean continuing with Humira and not switching.

More information

Rheumatoid arthritis

• NHS: biological treatments for rheumatoid arthritis
• National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS): biosimilars – what are they and how do they differ from the biologics

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

• NHS: tablets, capsules and injections for psoriasis
• NHS: treating psoriatic arthritis
• Psoriasis Association: biologic treatments for psoriasis

Ankylosing spondylitis

• NHS: treating ankylosing spondylitis
• National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society: biosimilars

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

• NHS: biological treatments for Crohn's disease
• NHS: ulcerative colitis – treating severe flare-ups
• Crohn's & Colitis UK: biologic drugs in IBD

Uveitis

• Birdshot Uveitis Society: biologics