Canada’s British Columbia transitioned to biosimilars in November 2019, achieving significant cost savings reinvested in BC PharmaCare. This initiative has improved drug coverage, expanding access to various medications and medical devices.
British Columbia (BC) was the first Canadian province to stop coverage of originator biologicals and switch patients to biosimilars for certain indications in November 2019 [1]. This policy has resulted in significant benefits from its biosimilars initiative, achieving substantial cost savings that have been reinvested into BC PharmaCare for enhanced drug coverage.
Over five years, the province saved CAN$732 million by transitioning patients from high-cost biologics to affordable biosimilars. In 2023‒2024 alone, savings exceeded CAN$226 million, redirected to expand access to various medications and medical devices.
Improvements in coverage include:
- Continuous and flash glucose monitors
- Improved access to inhalers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Addition of dapagliflozin for type 2 diabetes and heart failure
- Expanded coverage for Trikafta to treat cystic fibrosis
- ADHD medications for patients over 19 years old
Health Canada regulates biosimilars, ensuring over a decade of proven safety and efficacy. Studies since the 2019 launch of BC’s Biosimilars Initiative show that patients transitioning to biosimilars experience health outcomes comparable to those on reference biologicals. The initiative's report confirms biosimilars' cost-effectiveness without compromising patient care. Monitoring metrics such as physician visits, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and medication use indicate similar health outcomes for patients switching to biosimilars.
BC PharmaCare's pioneering effort in 2019 inspired 11 other Canadian jurisdictions to adopt similar initiatives, with over 40,000 individuals in BC making the switch by 2024. As of 13 June 2024, BC PharmaCare covers 33 biosimilars, including:
- Infliximab (Inflectra, Renflexis, Avsola: for various inflammatory conditions
- Filgrastim (Grastofil, Nypozi, Nivestym): for neutropenia
- Etanercept (Brenzys, Erelzi): for arthritis and psoriasis
- Insulin glargine (Basaglar, Semglee): for diabetes
- Rituximab (Ruxience, Truxima, Riximyo): for autoimmune diseases
- Adalimumab (Abrilada, Amgevita, Hadlima, Hulio, Hyrimoz, Idacio, Simlandi, Yuflyma): for inflammatory conditions
- Insulin lispro (Admelog): for diabetes
- Insulin aspart (Trurapi, Kirsty): for diabetes
- Enoxaparin (Elonox, Elonox HP, Inclunox, Inclunox HP, Noromby, Noromby HP, Redesca, Redesca HP): for thromboembolism
- Ustekinumab (Jamteki): for arthritis and psoriasis
This strategic move towards biosimilars has resulted in considerable cost savings, ensuring the sustainability and enhancement of BC’s public drug coverage system
Related articles
Insurer perspective on increasing biosimilar uptake in Canada
Canada calls for support to national pharmacare and generics industry
British Columbia releases latest data on biosimilar switches
|
LATIN AMERICAN FORUM
The new section of the ‘Latin American Forum’ on GaBI has been launched. The objective of this new section is to provide you with all the latest news and updates on developments of generic and biosimilar medicines in Latin America in Spanish. View the latest headline article: Actualización de los biosimilares aprobados por Health Canada en 2023 Browse the news in the Latin American Forum! Register to receive the GaBI Latin American Forum newsletter. Inform colleagues and friends of this new initiative.
FORO LATINOAMERICANO
Se ha lanzado la nueva sección del ‘Foro Latinoamericano’ sobre GaBI. El objetivo de esta nueva sección es brindarle las últimas noticias y actualizaciones sobre desarrollos de medicamentos genéricos y biosimilares en América Latina en español. Ver el último artículo de cabecera: Actualización de los biosimilares aprobados por Health Canada en 2023 !Explore las noticias en el Foro Latinoamericano! Regístrese para recibir el boletín informativo GaBI Foro Latinoamericano. Informe a colegas y amigos sobre esta nueva iniciativa.
|
Reference
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Canada’s British Columbia to switch patients to biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2024 Jun 19]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/policies-legislation/Canada-s-British-Columbia-to-switch-patients-to-biosimilars
Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.
Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2024 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.
0
Post your comment