^{Genomics and Molecular Biology}

Biography

Biography: Anusha Patel

Abstract

Homecare is a rapidly growing market with a value circa £1.5bn. Approximately 250,000 patients are receiving medicines via the homecare route. Biosimilars offer an exciting future: Opportunity to include more value added services, improved medicine administration (e.g. injectable medicines) through nurse support and patient education, improved patient compliance through offering help lines and checking product utilisation, improved product quality by enhanced supply chain, cold chain management, stock rotation, etc, improved track and trace systems, enhanced distribution models. Switching process at KGH-Currently a total of 100 patients on therapy via the homecare route. Rheumatology switched first, then dermatology, new patients commenced Benepali 21^st march, existing patients to switch to biosimilar as a phased process from 1^st April. Actions to take: discuss possibility of using Benepali with rheumatology team at MDT meeting, identify appropriate patients, notify patients beforehand-leaflet, clinic consultation to offer switch to existing patients, consultant/nurse to notify secretary of switch and to prepare a prescription (No registration forms needed), homecare pharmacist assistance in producing prescriptions, prescription processed by pharmacy and sent to homecare provider, homecare provider receive prescription, update patient account of switching to Benepali, homecare provider to contact patient, perform a stock check and supply “Benepali Patient Kit” on first delivery. Negotiations with the CCG-Gain share with CCG Gain share further between pharmacy and rheumatology department. Savings are to be used to recruit another nurse for department to release consultant nurse led telephone consultations for those patients who need them. Barriers to overcome were mapped out beforehand and a savings tracker was monitored to manage finances. Homecare providers are in a prime position to assist with switching as we can see in the preaparations for adalimuumab biolsimilar and trusts should work with them to ensure seamless transfer.