Newfoundland and Labrador and Yukon each announced implementation of biosimilar switching policies consistent with Ontario and seven other provinces in Canada. In Yukon from 3 April 2023, patients enrolled in the Pharmacare and the Chronic Disease and Disability Program will have six months to transition from certain biologic drugs to a biosimilar to maintain coverage. In Newfoundland and Labrador, to maintain coverage, patients currently using Copaxone®, Enbrel®, Humalog®, Humira®, Lantus®, Lovenox®, NovoRapid®, Remicade® or Rituxan® will be transitioned to a biosimilar version on or before March 31, 2024.
We reported on previous Canadian announcements of Biosimilar switching initiatives, including Ontario’s announcement in December 2022, following British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, Quebec, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan’s earlier announcements.