Canadian Biosimilars Forum congratulates the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on new biosimilar policy that supports patient care and health system sustainability.
The Canadian Biosimilars Forum applauds the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for its newly announced policy increasing the use of biosimilar medicines across the province. Since biosimilars deliver the same efficacy, safety and quality at a lower price than originator biologics, Newfoundland and Labrador will secure important system savings that can be reinvested in better patient care and accelerated access to innovative new medicines.
“As a founding member of the Canadian Biosimilars Forum, Pfizer supports the Ministry of Health and Community Service’s efforts to expand access to cost-effective biosimilar treatments for Newfoundland and Labrador residents.” - Frederic Lavoie, Inflammation and Immunology Business Lead at Pfizer Canada and Chair of the Canadian Biosimilars Forum.
Newfoundland and Labrador joins the vast majority of Canadian provinces committed to expanding access to biosimilars
Newfoundland and Labrador is the ninth province to announce an evidence-based biosimilars switching policy, following the same path first pioneered by British Columbia and Alberta in 2019 and then adopted by almost every other Canadian province. When this new policy comes into effect, Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to leverage key learnings from across the country to support patients and providers through the transition, ensuring continued access to high-quality medicines and supportive care.
“Organon Canada applauds the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for adopting a Biosimilar Transition Policy which will contribute to the sustainability of the province’s healthcare system,” said Michael Casia, President and Managing Director, Organon Canada. “Biosimilar transition policies have been successfully adopted in many jurisdictions in Canada and provides more treatment options and alternatives to more expensive biologics.”
Spending on biologics has tripled in Canada in the last 10 years, and now accounts for over one-third of total pharmaceutical spending. Bold policies – like the one announced by Newfoundland today – will bolster system sustainability, helping the province better manage pharmaceutical costs while providing more patients with more access to the medicines they need.
"The Canadian Biosimilars Forum congratulates the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on today's decision. We believe in the clinical value biosimilars can bring to patients and in the financial benefit that comes when savings are reinvested in provincial healthcare systems to ensure continuity of patient support and funding for new innovations,” said Karine Matteau, a board member of the Forum and Vice-President, Customer Engagement at Sandoz Canada.
Health Canada clearly states that patients can expect no differences in efficacy and safety following a routine switch to a biosimilar
Every biosimilar must demonstrate its similarity to another biologic medicine that is already available in the Canadian marketplace and no longer protected by a patent. As Health Canada says: “Our rigorous standards for authorization mean that you can have the same confidence in the quality, efficacy and safety of a biosimilar as in any other biologic drug.” Furthermore, Health Canada clearly states that “no differences are expected in efficacy and safety following a change in routine use between a biosimilar and its reference biologic drug in an authorized indication.”
About the Forum
The Forum is an alliance of four companies who have come together to maximize the positive impact of biosimilars on patients, on clinicians and on the sustainability of Canada’s health systems. The Forum today encompasses Biogen Canada, Organon Canada, Pfizer Canada, and Sandoz Canada, who together represent the breadth of the Canadian biosimilars industry.
Additional Resources
From the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador: