The Canadian Rheumatology Association strongly recommends that access to citrate-free Humira be made available for Canadian children requiring treatment with Humira.
In Canada, a new jurisdiction inaugurates mandatory switching to biosimilars.
The Northwest Territories has become the fifth Canadian jurisdiction to mandate switching to biosimilars for patients in the public health system. The Northwest Territories is a sparsely populated (41,000) wilderness area that is known for its native settlements, European immigration, fur trade and gold prospecting history (Yellowknife).
Public officials said in a statement that the biosimilar switching policy will be consistent with those already established in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Alberta, and Quebec. Canada has begun imposing mandatory biosimilar switching programs following lackluster voluntary biosimilar uptake. Biosimilars are highly similar to the original brand drugs they reference and just as safe and efficacious. They enter the market at discounts to the originator drugs and help to bring down the costs of health care and improve patient access to critical medicines.
The Canadian Rheumatology Association strongly recommends that access to citrate-free Humira be made available for Canadian children requiring treatment with Humira.
A statement by Biosimilars Canada, a trade association of biosimilars producers, explained that in the Northwest Territories switching will become mandatory for patients on 10 biologic reference drugs for which biosimilars are available, within the following therapeutic areas: arthritis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. The transition to biosimilars must occur by June 20, 2022.
“The full benefits of biosimilars cannot be realized unless drug plans adopt policies that support their expanded use with the implementation of successful biosimilar transitioning or “switching” policy,” the group said.
Biosimilars Policy Roundup for April 2024—Podcast Edition
May 5th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, The Center for Biosimilars® glances back at all the major biosimilar policy updates from April, including 2 FDA approvals, 1 European approval, and several insights into possible policy changes from the Festival of Biologics USA conference.
Review: Product Attributes Relevant to Injection-Site Pain, Adalimumab Treatment
May 4th 2024A review article summarizes the product attributes of reference and biosimilar adalimumab products, such as formulation with or without citrate, delivery volume, and needle gauge, relevant to patients’ experience of injection-site pain.
Decoding the Patent Puzzle: Navigating the Legal Landscape of Biosimilars
March 17th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, Ha Kung Wong, JD, an intellectual patent attorney and partner at Venable LLP, details the confusing landscape that is the US patent system and how it can be improved to help companies overcome barriers to biosimilar competition.