On 4 February 2022, the Government of Nova Scotia announced a biosimilar switching policy for seven drugs. The drugs cover indications including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and a range of other inflammatory diseases.

The change will affect around 5,100 people in the region, the majority (70%) of which will need to switch from originator to biosimilar insulin.

Patients will have until 3 February 2023 to switch to a biosimilar version of their medication, although exceptions can be made in cases in which a patient is not able to switch to a biosimilar for medical reasons.

Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness for Nova Scotia, said: ‘The evidence is clear that biosimilars are a safe and effective form of drug therapy for many patients. If we’re able to provide the same high-quality treatment to our patients for lower cost, it’s our duty to do so’.

Cheryl Koehn, Founder and President of Arthritis Consumer Experts, added: ‘Arthritis Consumer Experts congratulates the Nova Scotia government on today’s announcement that will help ensure continued reimbursement coverage for patients who transition to a biologic biosimilar. […We] encourage the Government of Nova Scotia to work with chronic disease communities like ours to reinvest biosimilars savings in improving sustainability and adding new therapies for public drug plan beneficiaries’.

The cost savings made from the policy will be re-invested in health care in the region. It is estimated the savings will be in the region of US$13 million each year once the programme has been fully implemented, with additional savings expected as more biosimilars are approved in Canada.

Nova Scotia follows British Columbia [1], Alberta [2], New Brunswick [3], Quebec [4] and the Northwest Territories [5] in announcing a biosimilar switching policy, making it the fifth Canadian province (and sixth jurisdiction) to do so. It also means half of Canada’s provinces now have biosimilar switching policies in place.

Related articles
British Columbia expands biosimilar switching programme to include insulin

Canadian provinces expand their use of biosimilars

Alberta Biosimilars Initiative: switching policy updates in Canada

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 2022 Feb 25]. 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 2022 Feb 25]. 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 2022 Feb 25]. 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 2022 Feb 25]. 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 2022 Feb 25]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/northwest-territories-canada-announces-biosimilars-switching-policy

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