Blockbuster biologics subject to Ontario biosimilars switching policy

Canada’s largest public drug plan has announced a transition to cost-saving biosimilar medicines.

Biosimilars Canada, a national association representing the country’s biosimilar medicines industry, has welcomed the announcement by Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones that the province will implement a switching or transitioning policy to expand the use of these copycat biologics for the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program in 2023.

The ODB accounts for about 40% of public drug spending in Canada. Ontario is the seventh province - and eighth jurisdiction in Canada - to announce a biosimilars switching policy.