BRIEF—Another Canadian province switches to biosimilars

Canadian trade group Biosimilars Canada has announced a new switching policy for the province of Prince Edward Island (PEI).

As a result, patients using certain biologics in the PEI Pharmacare program will need to transition to a biosimilar before 30 June.

President Jim Keon said the policy would “help support the long-term sustainability of the province’s public drug program and healthcare system.”

PEI is the eleventh jurisdiction in Canada to announce a biosimilars switching policy, with British Columbia and Alberta leading this approach, in 2019.

Manitoba is now the only province or territory in the country with a public drug program that has not made the transition to biosimilars.