The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommends to prescribe biological products by brand name to ensure that substitution of a biosimilar product does not occur when the medicine is dispensed by the pharmacist. Https://www/gov/uk/drug-safety-update/biosimilar-products
Primary care prescriber should ensure that patient medication records include any medicine for which prescribing remains the responsibility of secondary or tertiary care. This will ensure that GP records, which are accessed by other healthcare providers, are a true and accurate reflection of the patient's medication.
The network discussed the BSPAR/BSR position statement noting that the purpose of the recommendations is due to the funding of biologics in children with JIA sits with NHS England but transfers to CCGs when the pts reach 18 years of age. It notes that JIA will often continue to have active disease (or sequelae from previous active disease) well into adult life and it is distinct from other inflammatory conditions. In order to facilitate care of patients with JIA persisting into adult life the statement recommends continuation of biologic treatment into adulthood with processes in place to ensure ongoing funding.
Etanercept for Juvenile idiopathic arthritis for children under 18 years of age will be funded by NHS England from 1st April 2013
