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.
“Biosimilars can offer physicians and patients more treatment options and alternatives to more expensive biologics, contributing to the sustainability of Canadian healthcare systems,” said Michael Casia, President and Managing Director, Organon Canada - a member of the Canadian Biosimilars Forum. “The success of biosimilar adoption has been proven in many jurisdictions for over a decade, including across Canada. The Forum applauds the Government of Saskatchewan for adopting a Biosimilar Transition policy.”
Saskatchewan’s move leaves Ontario and Manitoba as the only large Canadian provinces yet to implement a biosimilar switching policy
Saskatchewan is the seventh province to announce an evidence-based biosimilars switching policy, following British Columbia and Alberta’s moves in 2019, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Northwest Territories in 2021, and Nova Scotia earlier this year. As a result, Saskatchewan can 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.
"The Canadian Biosimilars Forum congratulates the Government of Saskatchewan 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.
Patients can expect no differences in efficacy and safety following a routine switch to a biosimilar
Biosimilars are effective medicines that treat diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Biologic medicines are larger and more complex molecules than traditional pharmaceutical drugs and come from living organisms or from their cells. Biosimilars are biologic medicines that have been approved by Health Canada after a rigorous and evidence-based review process.
Additional Resources
From the Government of Saskatchewan: