Robidoux's reelection comes as biosimilars get a lift from automatic switching policies in British Columbia and Alberta.
Biosimilars Canada, a national trade association representing biosimilar developers and other industry stakeholders, has reelected Michel Robidoux, the president and general manager of Sandoz Canada, to serve as chair of the Biosimilars Canada board.
In a statement announcing his reappointment, Robidoux praised the biosimilar switching policies implemented by British Columbia and Alberta in 2019. These policies require that patients with chronic conditions be transitioned to certain biosimilars under the oversight of their physician. The programs have achieved savings that proponents have said could be reinvested in health care to broaden access not only to biologics but also other therapies and services.
“Biosimilar medicines have an important role in supporting health care sustainability and patient care,” Robidoux said. “The implementation of biosimilar switching policies could save the Canadian health care system hundreds of millions of dollars.” Citing a 2020 report by the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network, the statement said that annual savings of $425.6 million for provincial drug plans is possible in Canada by switching patients from 3 of the top-selling reference biologics: Humira (adalimumab), Enbrel (etanercept), and Remicade (infliximab). “A similar magnitude of savings would be available for employer-sponsored benefit plans,” it said.
Biosimilars Canada is affiliated with the European trade group International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association and is a division of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association. The group also reelected Mike Woolcock to serve as vice chair of the board. Woolcock is a senior vice president at Apobiologix. Other companies represented by Biosimilars Canada include Auropharma, Fresenius Kabi, Pharmascience, Taro, Teva, and Viatris.
For an update on biosimilar savings in British Columbia from the perspective of Pacific Blue Cross, click here.
Budget Impact Analysis of Biosimilar Natalizumab in the US
Projected savings from biosimilar natalizumab were $452,611 over 3 years, driven by decreased drug acquisition costs and a utilization shift from reference to biosimilar natalizumab.
Biosimilars in America: Overcoming Barriers and Maximizing Impact
July 21st 2024Join us as we explore the complexities of the US biosimilars market, discussing legislative influences, payer and provider adoption factors, and strategies to overcome industry challenges with expert insights from Kyle Noonan, PharmD, MS, value & access strategy manager at Cencora.
Switching Patterns Highlight Nocebo Effect in European Patients Using Amgevita
July 23rd 2024About half of the patients in a European study who transitioned from reference adalimumab to a biosimilar version stayed on the biosimilar at the 1-year mark. However, researchers warned about a possible nocebo effect resulting in some patients switching back to the originator.
Breaking Barriers in Osteoporosis Care: New Denosumab Biosimilars Wyost, Jubbonti Approved
June 16th 2024In this episode, The Center for Biosimilars® delves into the FDA approval of the first denosumab biosimilars, Wyost and Jubbonti (denosumab-bbdz), and discuss their potential to revolutionize osteoporosis treatment with expert insights from 2 rheumatologists.
Hesitancy in MENA Nations to Adopt WHO Biosimilar Guidelines Hinders Market Development
July 17th 2024The World Health Organization’s (WHO) new guidelines for biosimilar approvals aim to save time and money for manufacturers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), but hesitancy among nations to adopt the guidelines is stifling market development of biosimilars.