Aflibercept biosimilar
Read the guide below which explains what aflibercept is and how we use it to treat a range of eye conditions including neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration.
Download the guide in PDF format by following the link on the right.
What is aflibercept?
It’s a medicine injected into the eye to treat:
- neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration
- macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion
- diabetic macular oedema
- myopic choroidal neovascularization.
It belongs to a group of medicines called anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and Placental Growth Factor (PIGF) agents.
How does aflibercept work?
It stops the growth of new abnormal blood vessels in the eye. Excess VEGF and PIGF causes growth of new abnormal blood vessels is caused by excess of. Abnormal blood vessels in the eye may leak fluid or bleed.
Aflibercept helps to stabilise vision and may prevent vision loss.
How is aflibercept made?
Aflibercept is a biological medicine. Biological medicines are those made or come from living cells. Biological medicines were first used to treat people with serious illnesses in the UK over 20 years ago. They’ve improved the lives of millions of people worldwide.
How does aflibercept compare to other anti-VEGF agents?
Other anti-VEGF medicines include ranibizumab, bevacizumab and faricimab. Your ophthalmic healthcare professional will discuss treatment options with you and advise which medicine is best for your condition.
What versions of aflibercept are available in the UK?
Until recently, only one pharmaceutical company made aflibercept. Now other companies make a biosimilar aflibercept.
What is biosimilar aflibercept?
Biosimilar aflibercept is a highly similar copy of the original aflibercept medicine. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines a biosimilar as a medicine that’s similar in terms of quality, safety and effectiveness to the original licensed medicine.
Are biosimilars safe?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates medicines in the UK. All medicines must pass rigorous tests for quality, biological activity, safety and effectiveness.
Biosimilar medicines pass the same tests as the original medicine.
What does treatment with biosimilar aflibercept mean for me?
You can expect the same results whether you’re:
- due to start treatment with aflibercept for the first time or,
- have agreed with your clinician that your treatment will change from Eylea to biosimilar aflibercept, Afqlir
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) produces guidance for health care. If NICE recommends the original biological medicine in their guidance, the same recommendation applies to the biosimilar medicines.
If you have any problems with your treatment, tell the Urgent Booked Ophthalmology Clinic (UBOC) on 01296 831220. Alternatively, call your local optician or Emergency Department (ED).
What are the benefits of biosimilars?
Many original biological medicines are expensive and the number of conditions they treat is increasing. Biosimilar medicines are highly similar to the original medicines and have the same quality, safety and effectiveness as well as being less expensive.
The savings made by using biosimilars allow the NHS to treat more patients and invest in new medicines to further improve patient care.
Further advice
If you have further questions about aflibercept or biosimilars, talk to your ophthalmology or pharmacy team.
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Contact us
If you have any further questions or concerns, contact the Pharmacy Medicines Optimisation team by email, bht.medicinesoptimisation@nhs.net
Call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Additional resources
Have you been asked to switch from a biologic medicine to a new biosimilar?
About this information
Please remember that this leaflet is intended as general information only. We aim to make the information as up to date and accurate as possible, but please note that it is subject to change. Please therefore always check specific advice on any concerns you may have with your doctor.
How can I help reduce healthcare associated infections?
Infection prevention and control is important to the wellbeing of our patients and for that reason we have infection prevention and control procedures in place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of infections. We ask that you, and anyone visiting you, use the hand sanitiser available at the entrance to every ward before coming in to and after leaving the ward.
In some situations, hands may need to be washed at the sink using soap and water rather than using the hand sanitiser as hand sanitisers are not suitable for use when dealing with patients who have symptoms of diarrhoea.
Patient advice sheet
If you would like a copy of this information on audiotape, in large print or translated, call the Patient Advice Liaison Service on 01296 831120 or email bht.pals@nhs.net