Biosimilars Canada has compiled a list of news stories from Canada and abroad about biosimilars that may be of interest to readers. These links to third-party websites are provided for informational purposes only, and do represent an endorsement from our organization. Biosimilars Canada’s statements and news releases are available here.
CBC News coverage of the announcement of Nova Scotia’s biosimilar switching policy, which is expected to save the province more than $13 million annually.
New Brunswick recently expanded its biosimilar switching policy. Patients on New Brunswick’s public drug plan who take NovoRapid insulin aspart will need to switch to an insulin aspart biosimilar by May 31, 2022.
Quebec has expanded its biosimilar switching policy. Effective February 2, patients on Quebec’s public drug plan who take NovoRapid insulin aspart will need to switch to an insulin aspart biosimilar by July 5, 2022.
A new study by UBC researchers published in BMC Rheumatology looked at the early impacts on health services use following the switch from originator to biosimilar etanercept in BC. No impact on incidences of switching to a different biologic antirheumatic drug, visits to emergency departments, or admissions to hospitals were found.
As of December 15, 2021, only biosimilars to Lovenox and Lovenox HP enoxaparin will be reimbursed by the Quebec public drug plan. Patients already being treated with Lovenox have until April 12, 2022, to switch to a biosimilar.
As of December 15, 2021, only biosimilars to Forteo teriparatide will be reimbursed by the Quebec public drug plan. Patients currently being treated with Forteo have until April 12, 2022 to switch to a biosimilar.