To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of NHS Improvement's metrics to support biosimilar uptake within the Model Hospital dashboard on adherence to best practice guidance on shared-decision making and patient consent, and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
15 March 2019
The Department has made no assessment. NHS Improvement holds a joint role in supporting the National Health Service to use the best value biologic medicine which is part of a long standing programme of work connected to the NHS Biosimilar Medicines Steering Group, the NHS England Medicines Value Programme and the NHS Improvement Top 10 Medicines remit.
The Biosimilars Medicines Steering Group is intended to ensure appropriate use of biosimilar medicines across the NHS in England. This includes a focus on the importance of shared decision making and patient consent. The steering group has produced commissioning guidance which sets out best practice in shared decision making and which is fully endorsed by patient groups.