Hospira welcomes NICE ruling on biosimilar introductions

Hospira has welcomed a ruling from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) that will accelerate the introduction of biosimilar therapies in the UK.

The recently published adoption resource, entitled 'Introducing biosimilar versions of infliximab: Inflectra and Remsima', provides advice on how to effectively introduce biosimilars into clinical practice, as guidance on safely arranging a switching programme.

Through case studies, the resource also highlights how biosimilars can help lead to a more sustainable healthcare system and improve patient access to biologic medicines that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive.

Hospira has responded positively to the publication, as it was the company that launched the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody Inflectra in the UK in February 2015.

Paul Greenland, vice-president for biologics at Hospira, said: "Inflectra continues to provide an alternative, potentially more affordable treatment option for people suffering from severe, debilitating diseases."

Hospira will soon be acquired by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, which is currently in the process of securing the regulatory approvals necessary to close the deal.