Following British Columbia [1], Alberta [2] and Ontario [3], Quebec has been added to the list of Canadian provinces with a biosimilar switching programme. In May 2021, the Government of Quebec announced a plan to phase out originator biologicals and replace them with biosimilars.

Under the policy, all patients in Quebec receiving biological drug treatment will be switched to a biosimilar (from the list of medications covered by the basic prescription drug insurance plan) by April 2022.

There are a number of exceptions to the scheme, including:

• Pregnant women who will be switched to a biosimilar in the 12 months after childbirth
• Paediatric patients who will be switched to a biosimilar in the 12 months after their 18th birthday
• Patients who have experienced two or more therapeutic failures while being treated with a biological drug for a chronic disease, who will not be switched to a biosimilar.

Commenting on the scheme, Christian Dubé, Minister of Health and Social Services for Quebec, said: ‘Innovation gives rise to incredible medical advances and the development of practices and care offers that are always better adapted to people's needs. The decisive shift we are initiating towards the judicious use of biosimilar drugs is a good example of this. I am convinced that this will help ensure the sustainability of our health system. We are committed to the health of the population and the actions taken on this issue are in the interest and benefit of patients’.

Mr Dubé says the policy will generate annual savings of more than CA$100 million, to be reinvested into the healthcare system. The statement from Mr Dubé also said that manufacturers of reference biologicals had been informed of the policy, that exchanges will take place with the main partners and associations of the health and social services network, and that additional information and resources will be made available to support healthcare professionals and patients through the switching process.

Biosimilars Canada, the association representing biosimilar manufacturers in Canada, welcomed the news and congratulated the Government of Quebec and Mr Dubé. ‘Biosimilars Canada congratulates the Government of Quebec and Minister Dubé for prioritizing the expanded use of biosimilar medicines in the province to generate important savings and reinvest in Quebec's healthcare system’, said Michel Robidoux, Chair of Biosimilars Canada.

Biosimilar switching policies continue to expand in Canada [4], in British Columbia, for example, adalimumab has recently been added to the switching programme [5].

Related articles
Alberta Biosimilars Initiative: switching policy updates in Canada

Biosimilar infliximab uptake in Canada

Low levels of biosimilar uptake 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 2021 Jul 30]. 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 2021 Jul 30]. 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. Ontario becomes third Canadian province to switch patients to biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2021 Jul 30]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/Ontario-becomes-third-Canadian-province-to-switch-patients-to-biosimilars 
4. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Canadian provinces expand their use of biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2021 Jul 30]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/canadian-provinces-expand-their-use-of-biosimilars 
5. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. British Columbia adds adalimumab to biosimilar switching programme [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2021 Jul 30]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/british-columbia-adds-adalimumab-to-biosimilar-switching-programme

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