PEI follows in the footsteps of those who have already adopted such policies, British Columbia (May 2019) [1], Alberta (December 2019) [2], New Brunswick (April 2021) [3], Quebec (July 2021) [4], the Northwest Territories (December 2021) [5], Nova Scotia (February 2022) [6], Saskatchewan (October 2022) [7], Ontario (December 2022) [8], Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yukon (May 2023) [9]. Now, only Manitoba and Nunavut remain as jurisdictions in Canada without a biosimilar transition policy. However, Nunavut is a jurisdiction that does not have a public health plan.

As part of the policy, patients enrolled in the PEI Pharmacare programme who are taking certain reference biologicals will be required to transition to a biosimilar version, see Table 1. Additionally, all new patients in need of therapy using the reference biologicals will be required to start on a biosimilar. Patients have been advised that if they are taking any of the specified reference products they will need to switch to the biosimilar version by 30 June 2024.

Table 1: Reference biologics subject to PEI's adopted biosimilars switching policy

 Source: PEI Biosimilar Initiative | Government of Prince Edward Island 

'This switch will allow PEI to optimize the use of public resources, invest more in new and innovative therapies and continue to grow the list of publicly funded medications while improving access and affordability for all Islanders’, said Kilby Rinco, Health PEI Director of Provincial Pharmacy Services, PD&T Co-Chair. ‘Patients and healthcare providers can be confident that the quality, safety and patient benefits of biosimilars are highly similar to the original biologicaldrugs based on the Health Canada framework.’

Related articles           
Law and ethics of switching to biosimilars in Canada

Praise for Canada’s BC after it adopts biosimilar transitioning policy

References
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 2023 Nov 7]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/policies-legislation/Canada-s-British-Columbia-to-switch-patients-to-biosimilars
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Concerns raised as Canada’s Alberta plans to switch patients to biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2023 Nov 7]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/Policies-Legislation/Concerns-raised-as-Canada-s-Alberta-plans-to-switch-patients-to-biosimilars
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Concerns over Canada’s New Brunswick transition to biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2023 Nov 7]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/concerns-over-canada-s-new-brunswick-transition-to-biosimilars
4. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Quebec announces biosimilar switching policy [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2023 Nov 7]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/quebec-announces-biosimilar-switching-policy
5. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Northwest territories Canada announces biosimilars switching policy [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2023 Nov 7]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/northwest-territories-canada-announces-biosimilars-switching-policy
6. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Nova Scotia Canada implements biosimilar switching policy [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2023 Nov 7]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/nova-scotia-canada-implements-biosimilar-switching-policy
7. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Canada’s Saskatchewan province introduces biosimilars switching policy [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2023 Nov 7]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/canada-s-saskatchewan-province-introduces-biosimilars-switching-policy
8. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Ontario becomes third Canadian province to switch patients to biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2023 Nov 7]. Available from:
www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/Ontario-becomes-third-Canadian-province-to-switch-patients-to-biosimilars
9. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilars switching policies for Canada’s Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yukon [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2023 Nov 7]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/biosimilars-switching-policies-for-canada-s-newfoundland-and-labrador-and-yukon

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