Biosimilars In the News

The Forum aims to serve as a credible resource for evidence-based information regarding biosimilars.  As part of our work in this area, we have collated the news stories found here. To learn more about the positions of the Canadian Biosimilars Forum itself, please refer to our Forum Positions.

June 15, 2023
Sandoz introduces Act4Biosimilars Action Plan to accelerate patient access to biosimilar medicines

Sandoz, a global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, announced the launch of a global roadmap to increase patient access to biologic medicines. The Act4Biosimilars Action Plan is part of the Act4Biosimilars initiative, founded by Sandoz and launched in 2022, and aims to increase global biosimilar adoption by at least 30 percentage points in 30+ countries by 2030.
Read more.

May 7, 2023
Non-Medical Switch to Infliximab Biosimilar Did Not Impact Remission in Young Patients

Based on a real-world national cohort of patients in the United States (US), switching to an infliximab biosimilar was not linked to adverse events when compared with continuing with the infliximab originator, according to data presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2023.
Read more.

April 11, 2023
Celebrating Canada's Global Leadership in Access to Biosimilars

The Canadian Biosimilars Forum congratulates the incredible alliance of policymakers, clinicians, patient advocates and researchers who have worked tirelessly across the country to achieve this milestone, and whose collective effort has positioned Canada as one of the world's biosimilar leaders.

Read the full press release here: English | Français

March 24, 2023
Canadian Biosimilars Forum congratulates the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on new biosimilar policy that supports patient care and health system sustainability.

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.
Read more.

December 20, 2022
Canadian Biosimilars Forum congratulates the Government of Ontario on strengthening the health system by expanding access to biosimilars.

The Canadian Biosimilars Forum is pleased to support a new policy from the Government of Ontario that will generate Millions in savings from the increased use of biosimilar medicines across the province. Through this policy, Ontario drug plan patients currently taking reference biologic medications will be transitioned to a biosimilar version of their same medication. Since biosimilars deliver the same efficacy, safety and quality at a significantly lower price, the Government of Ontario will secure important system savings which can then be reinvested in accelerated access to innovative new medicines.
Read more.

November 14, 2022
International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA) releases white paper to kick off Global Biosimilars Week 2022
The new white paper from the IGBA Biosimilars Committee entitled “Embracing Science with Condfidence: Adopting the Revised 2022 WHO Biosimilar Guidelines” focuses on “Enhancing Regulatory Efficiency for Greater Access”, one of the four key areas identified by IGBA in 2021 where collective action can help achieve the potential for biosimilar medicines.
Read more.

October 20, 2022
Canadian Biosimilars Forum congratulates the Government of Saskatchewan on new policy to increase the uptake of biosimilars
The Canadian Biosimilars Forum applauds the Government of Saskatchewan for today’s announcement of a new biosimilars transition policy that will see the province secure Millions in savings that can be reinvested in better patient care and expanded access to medicines.
Read more

May 31, 2022
Sandoz announces new global ‘Act4Biosimilars’ initiative, to improve patient access and increase adoption by at least 30% in 30+ countries by 2030
Sandoz, a global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, today announced the launch of a new global initiative called ‘Act4Biosimilars’ to help address health inequity and inequality worldwide. Act4Biosimilars aims to increase patient access to advanced medicines by facilitating greater approvability, accessibility, acceptability and affordability (the 4 A’s) of biosimilars.
Read more

May 28, 2022
No Change in Health Services Utilization Following Mandatory Switching to Infliximab Biosimilar in British Columbia
A study published in CMAJ Open assessed the impact of mandatory switching policies in British Columbia on patients with rheumatic conditions receiving infliximab therapy, and found that switching to a biosimilar had no impact on the utilization of health services by patients.
Read more

May 24, 2022
Canadian Biosimilars Forum launches campaign to highlight Ontario’s biosimilars opportunity
The Canadian Biosimilars Forum has launched a campaign to highlight the opportunity presented by biosimilars for the Ontario government to access hundreds of millions in savings each year while maintaining the same high quality care for Ontarians.

April 19, 2022
The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network releases a new study on biosimilar uptake and suggestions to increase utilization in Canada
New research shows that despite increased market entry, use of biosimilars in Canada remains low. It finds that policies requiring patient transition from a reference biologic to the relevant biosimilar have resulted in large increases in uptake, and the biosimilars market can be strengthened through harmonization of policies, patient and prescriber education, and collaboration with manufacturers.
Read more

February 4, 2022
Nova Scotia Moving to Biosimilar Drugs for Pharmacare Programs
Starting today, February 4, Nova Scotians enrolled in Pharmacare programs will begin switching to a biosimilar version of certain biologic drugs, including some insulins and medications used for treating Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Read more

February 2, 2022
Mandatory Biosimilar Switch in Canada Has Minimal Impacts on Patient Health
A mandatory switch to biosimilar etanercept had minimal impacts on patient health, according to a Canadian study using rapid monitoring of drug and health services utilization. The study, published in BMC Rheumatology reviewed the results of a mandated switch from originator etanercept (Enbrel) to a biosimilar in British Columbia (BC), Canada, as part of its Biosimilars Initiative.
Read more

January 19, 2022
Cancer Care Ontario releases framework to measure and monitor the effects of biosimilar funding policies and implementation strategies.
The toolkit, developed through a project supported by the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA), provides a set of evaluation questions and indicators to measure the impacts of biosimilar funding policies and implementation strategies on patients, clinicians and drug programs.
Read more

December 21, 2021
The Government of Northwest Territories launches a Biosimilars Initiative
The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) is launching a Biosimilars Initiative to switch patients from originator biologic drugs to the biosimilar versions. A biosimilar drug is a highly similar but less expensive version of the original biologic medication, known as an originator drug. Expected savings from the implementation of this policy is to be reinvested to help fund coverage by increasing the medications that the supplementary health benefits programs cover in the future.
Read more

May 18, 2021
The Canadian Biosimilars Forum welcomes the Quebec government’s intention to accelerate the uptake of biosimilars
The Canadian Biosimilars Forum welcomes the Quebec government's intention to move towards biosimilars. This is a pivotal step in improving the care of patients who will be transitioning from a reference biologic to a biosimilar in a safe, effective and controlled manner.
Read more

April 21, 2021
Canadian Biosimilars Forum Applauds Government of New Brunswick’s New Policy to Increase Uptake of Biosimilars, Creating an Opportunity for Better Patient Care
The Canadian Biosimilars Forum applauds the Government of New Brunswick for today’s announcement of a new policy that will lead to significant health system savings and the opportunity for improved patient care. By transitioning patients currently using a reference biologic drug to a biosimilar, New Brunswick has the opportunity to secure significant savings that could be reinvested in broader access to existing therapies and faster access to new medicines.
Read more

April 7, 2021
B.C.’s biosimilars program expands
On April 7, 2021, almost 6,000 patients on the biologic drug Humira will be transitioned over a six-month period to one of five adalimumab biosimilars. Coverage for the etanercept biosimilars Brenzys and Erelzi will also be expanded allowing new and existing plaque psoriasis patients currently being treated with Enbrel to transition over the same six-month period.
Read more

April 7, 2021
Switching to biosimilars can generate savings, say early adopters
With Canadian biologic drug sales growing at a rate of 13 per cent annually over the last 10 years, plan sponsors are looking for ways to manage the related costs — and the introduction of biosimilars may help. At a recent Pfizer-sponsored webinar hosted by Benefits Canada, “Evidence to Policy —Biosimilar Transitioning in Canada,” two Canadian biosimilar switching program pioneers shared their experiences.
Read more

February 22, 2021
Biosimilars Initiative saves precious health dollars in a time of COVID-19
In 2019, the BC PharmaCare program implemented the first phase of its Biosimilars Initiative and cost savings from shifting 22,000 British Columbians from originator biologics to biosimilars have benefitted an additional 40,000 British Columbians by augmenting nursing supports and adding BC PharmaCare coverage for Jardiance, a diabetes medication.
Read more

January 21, 2021
Tug of War: Biosimilars And Biologics Have Yet to Settle into Harmonious Coexistence
Biosimilars have made great strides but have a lot further to go. BC’s Biosimilars Initiative, boasting thousands of successfully and safely treated patients, has forged a path that other jurisdictions can follow. Payers such as Blue Cross and Green Shield have demonstrated that biosimilar-first policies can work in the private sphere as well.
Read more

November 20, 2020
Alberta, Canada, Sees Early Success From Switching Patients to Biosimilars
Following the launch of its Biosimilars Initiative in December 2019, Alberta, Canada, has succeeded in switching 16% of patients from use of 7 reference products to approved biosimilar versions, according to a presenter at the Terrapinn Festival of Biologics Basel 2020.
Read more

October 26, 2020
The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network releases a new study on potential cost implications of mandatory non-medical switching policies across the country
After two provinces announced mandatory biosimilar non-medical switching policies for rheumatic conditions and IBD in 2019, the ODPRN sought to study the utilization of biosimilars across Canada and the estimated cost implications of similar policies across the country .
Read more

August 26, 2020
Alberta’s Biosimilars Initiative continues to demonstrate leadership in biosimilars uptake
Effective September 1, 2020, the Alberta Biosimilars Initiative will be updated to include the addition of two rituximab biosimilars and another pegfilgrastim biosimilar to the Alberta Drug Benefit List.
Read more

August 21, 2020
B.C Expands its Biosimilars Program
British Columbia continues to lead the way in Canada, expanding its biosimilars program and using savings to introduce new improvements in patient care. The BC Government announced that as of August 20, 2020, about 1,600 patients on the drug rituximab, also known as Rituxan, will have six months to transition to one of three biosimilars, namely Truxima, Riximyo or Ruxience.
Read more

August 18, 2020
Changes to Quebec formulary will increase uptake of biosimilars
The Quebec government is taking another important step to expand access to biosimilars. RAMQ issues two newsletters regarding infliximab and erelzi for new patients.
Read more (Infliximab - French), Read more (Erelzi - French)

August 16, 2020
Carter Thorne, MD, Discusses Biosimilar Switching in Canada
A podcast episode with Carter Thorne, former president of the Canadian Rheumatology Association and chief of the Division of Rheumatology and director of The Arthritis Program at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, discusses the current status of Canada’s comfort level with biosimilars and what he sees for the future of switching policies.
Read more

June 25, 2020
Sandoz Canada Launches The Biosimilars Generation
Sandoz Canada has launched “The Biosimilars Generation” campaign to help Canadians better understand the benefits of biosimilars, their proven safety and efficacy, and the opportunities they present to the healthcare system to realize savings and increase access to innovative new medicines.
Read more

February 27, 2020
Ontario plans to moves forward with biosimilars despite pressure from Remicade maker Janssen
Ontario plans to move ahead with a biosimilars policy despite pressure tactics from the pharmaceutical company that makes one of Canada’s most lucrative drugs.
Read more

December 12, 2019
Press Release: Alberta’s policy to expand the use of biosimilar prescription drugs
Alberta announces that it will become the third province to expand the use of biosimilar medications, providing Albertans with the best possible treatment options at a lower cost. Over the next four years, this initiative will save between $227 million and $380 million once fully implemented with savings to go back into the province’s health system.
Read more

December 12, 2019
Alberta plans to switch patients from biologics to cheaper biosimilar medications
Alberta intends to switch 26,000 patients on government-sponsored drug plans from expensive biologic drugs to biosimilars, a move that will save the province hundreds of millions of dollars in the coming years.
Read more

July 24, 2019
Health Canada taking 'corrective measures' with pharmaceutical company over pharma ads
Health Canada is taking action to rebut a major pharmaceutical company’s criticism of a B.C. policy shift that will make the province the first to stop covering some expensive, formerly patented biologic drugs in favour of less-expensive “biosimilars”. Health Canada said it has no concerns about the B.C. policy and there are no differences expected between the categories of drugs when it comes to safety and effectiveness.
Read more

July 19, 2019
Opinion: Biosimilar drugs a boon to be applauded as they provide equivalent treatment at – sometimes – half the price
An opinion piece by the CEO and President of Green Shield Canada applauds the B.C government’s decision to implement a biosimilar transitioning program and encourages provincial governments across the country to embrace the same approach.
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July 3, 2019
Opinion: B.C. leads North America into next generation of biologic therapy
B.C.-based healthcare professionals and patient educators on the front lines of arthritis treatment and care in B.C. respond in this opinion piece to facts about biosimilars and the experience in B.C.
Read more

May 27, 2019
Canadian Biosimilars Forum Applauds B.C. Government's Landmark Decision to Enhance Adoption of Biosimilars and Calls on Remaining Provinces to Follow
The Canadian Biosimilars Forum commends the Government of British Columbia(B.C.) for taking a decisive step toward enhancing patient care by implementing well-controlled, one-time transitions of those patients currently using a reference biologic drug to its biosimilar.
Read more

May 21, 2019
Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) Releases Updated Position Statement on Biosimilars
The updated statement “encourages rheumatologists to provide the best care for individual patients and be fiscally responsible for the benefit of society as a whole. Rheumatologists should consider choosing the most cost-effective product when there is a choice available between an originator biologic and a biosimilar and must be mindful of cost savings.”
Read more

April 15, 2019
Diverging from US, Canada Approves Biosimilar Rituximab in Both Oncology and Rheumatology Indications
Through Health Canada's rigorous process, a new biosimilar is approved for for the treatment of adults with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and rheumatoid arthritis.
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March 19, 2019
Structural Market Changes Needed in U.S. to Achieve Cost-Savings from Biosimilars - Lessons from Europe’s Biosimilars Successes: Payer, Physician, and Patient Alignment Will Lower Costs, Increase Access to Biosimilars
The Biosimilars Forum and Medicines for Europe released a joint white paper that discusses how Europe has successfully sustained its multi-source biosimilars market for the past 10 years. The Forum also suggests that the United States make structural changes in order to achieve similar success.
Read more

February 16, 2019
Opinion: Hundred of millions of dollars could be saved by using biosimilar medications
Three healthcare professionals and a patient educator who are on the front lines of arthritis treatment and care in British Columbia respond to an op-ed a week ago from the executive director of a U.S.-based alliance of pharmaceutical industry, physicians and patient members regarding a new advanced treatment for chronic disease patients.
Read more

February 14, 2019
Health Canada Notice to Stakeholders - Policy Statement on the Naming of Biologic Drugs
Following internal and external stakeholder consultations and analysis of related issues, Health Canada has decided that biologic drugs, including biosimilars, will be identified by their unique brand name and non-proprietary (common) name, without the addition of a product-specific suffix.
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December 1, 2018
Green Shield Canada’s Biosimilar Transition Program Completes a Successful Pilot
Green Shield Canada (GSC) writes about its Biosimilar Transition Program, which was piloted with three of its plan sponsors through the summer and into the fall of 2018.
Read more

October 25, 2018
CADTH Report on International Policies on the Appropriate Use of Biosimilar Drugs
A CADTH report provides examples of international post-market policies, programs, and other strategies that have been established to guide the uptake of biosimilars and to promote their appropriate and cost-effective use.
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July 18, 2018
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., delivers an address at the Brookings Institution on the release of the FDA’s Biosimilars Action Plan
Read more

June 28, 2018
The Ontario Rheumatology Association Board of Directors publishes official position statement on non-medical switching
The ORA publishes its official position on non-medical switching, recognizing that non-medical switching from innovator to biosimilar biologic medications with approved indications for patients with rheumatic disease is safe and has the potential to save health care system resources.
Read more

June 28, 2018
Study Shows Association Between Health Literacy and Patient Satisfaction With Switching to Biosimilar
Research presented at the European League Against Rheumatism’s Annual European Congress of Rheumatology concluded that patients’ attitudes and level of satisfaction with switching to a biosimilar was associated with being given sufficient and necessary information concerning their health.
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June 20, 2018
What's Holding Back Market Uptake Of Biosimilars in the US?
In the U.S., nine patents for the top 20 selling biologics are set to expire by 2020. Given that biosimilars are cheaper than the originator biologics, more use of biosimilars will lead to cost savings. This article explores why biosimilars have failed to gain widespread traction.
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June 18, 2018
Rising biosimilar uptake touted amid ‘continuously evolving’ evidence for safety, efficacy
Green Shield Canada says that Canada can save an estimated $280 million a year in drug costs if biosimilar uptake here reached the levels seen in Norway, at a recent insurance industry event in Calgary.
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March 8, 2018
Green Shield Canada announces their biosimilar transition program
In keeping with their commitment to provide innovative solutions in pharmacy benefit management, GSC has taken
the management of biosimilar drug products a step further than their previous listing as preferred products and introduced the Biosimilar Transition Program.
Read more

March 5, 2018
Systematic Literature Review Shows Low Risk of Safety Concerns or Loss of Efficacy After Switching to a Biosimilar
A research team led by Hillel Cohen, PhD, conducted a systematic literature review of all available switching studies in an effort to evaluate whether switching from a reference biologic to a biosimilar could lead to altered clinical outcomes—such as enhanced immunogenicity, compromised safety, or reduced efficacy.
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February 13, 2018
Revisions to CADTH’s Biosimilar and Resubmission Processes
CADTH has revised their process to reduce duplication of work, optimize resources, and facilitate decision-making for biosimilars for all participating jurisdictions.
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November 27, 2017
Canadian physicians more familiar with biosimilars but still lack understanding: survey
According to a new survey by the U.S.-based Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines, Canadian physicians are becoming more familiar with biosimilars, but there is a lot of hesitancy and lack of understanding among physicians when it comes to using biosimilars.
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June 6, 2017
Summary report of the IHE Biosimilars Forum
The summary report from the Institute for Health Economics Biosimilars Forum, identifies options to categorize and consider biosimilars, stakeholder engagement processes, and approaches to knowledge exchange.
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October 11, 2016
New Canadian Forum Calls for Better Access to Biosimilar Medicines to Improve Health Care. 
A new Canadian alliance of drug manufacturers – the Canadian Biosimilars Forum -- issued a call today to both policy makers and health system leaders to embrace the opportunity that biosimilars represent to both patients and to Canadian health care.
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