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.
The Pharmacy Consulting Team at Telus Health has published a good primer for private health insurers on biosimilars and the biosimilar landscape in Canada. First in series.
Effective August 1, adult patients covered by Alberta’s public drug plan who take Humalog insulin lispro will be required to switch to a biosimilar version by February 1, 2022. All new patient starts for insulin lispro will be covered for the biosimilar.
New Brunswick has expanded its biosimilar switching program. Patients who take Lovenox enoxaparin will need to switch to an enoxaparin biosimilar by Feb 28, 2022. New patient starts for enoxaparin will also be covered for a biosimilar.
Effective July 1, 2021, patients covered by Alberta’s public drug plan who take Lovenox enoxaparin are required to switch to an enoxaparin biosimilar by January 10, 2022. All new patient starts for enoxaparin will be covered for a biosimilar.
B.C.’s biosimilar switching policy has had a profound impact on private drug plans in the province, according to TELUS Health claims data for private drug plans.
A new study on the BC experience with biosimilars found that "Well-supported switching to biosimilars, in the form of solid education efforts about biosimilar equivalence, leads to successful clinical outcomes and, importantly, patient acceptance of these agents."