Test tubes of a drug

Switching from a Biologic to a Biosimilar Drug in Canada

CDHF

Written by: CDHF

Updated: December 8th, 2022

In the past 50 years, biologic medications have revolutionized and transformed the treatment of many disabling and life-threating diseases as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), diabetes, arthritis, and cancers.

However, biologics are contributing to the rising costs of healthcare, and this may restrict access to these important medicines. Because biologic drugs’ patents have expired, other manufactures are now able to produce these medicines – which are called biosimilars. 

What is a Biosimilar?

Biosimilars can help more patients have access to the life-enhancing benefits of biologic treatment.

Biosimilars are drugs made to be extremely similar to a reference biologic. Although biosimilars cannot be exact copies, they must show similar efficacy (“effectiveness”) and safety to be approved by Health Canada. They must also meet the same manufacturing standards. Biosimilar products first entered the Canadian market in 2009, and various biosimilars have been approved by Health Canada in different therapeutic areas since.

More than 178 clinical trials worldwide involving approximately 21,000 switched individuals confirm that switching from an originator biologic drug to a biosimilar biologic drug is not associated with any major efficacy, safety, or immunogenicity issues.

Why is there a change?

Biosimilars treat the same conditions and produce the same effect at a much lower cost. The re-invested savings could be used for the reimbursement for new innovative drugs, and are important in ensuring individuals have access to the essential therapies they need for years to come. Biosimilars are also used extensively in Europe, where countries have had over 15 years of experience with biosimilars.

Biosimilar switching policies have already been implemented by the provincial drug plans in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories.

Stay informed and up to date about biosimilar policies happening in your province by visiting our Biosimilar Policy page.

To learn more about Biosimilars, view our Biosimilar Library or visit the Biosimilars Generation.

Related Articles:

View all News & Articles

newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador Biosimilars Policy

ibd and pregnancy cdhf talks with picture of dr. leung

CDHF Talks: IBD and Pregnancy Guidelines

IBD and Pregnancy: Frequently Asked Questions

Toilet paper with smiley face

Is my Poop Healthy/Normal?

woman laying down with hurt stomach

Why Does My Stomach Hurt?

elder man and woman stretching on yoga mats

Exercise and Lifestyle Tips for IBD

Webinar: IBD & Diet

Photo of Toronto CN Tower

Ontario Biosimilars Policy

Test tubes of a drug

Switching from a Biologic to a Biosimilar Drug in Canada

Online dietitian consult

What is the Equity in Nutrition Care Program?

Doctor speaking to teenager in office

Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult IBD

Parent shaking hands with doctor with teenager in the background

IBD Transition Checklist for Patients and Parents

young girl holding baby doll

Loeys-Dietz Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD Nurses Report on an Ipad

IBD Nurse-Centred Care Impact Report

Two cartoon medicine bottles on white background

Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative

CDHF Talks with Dr. Yvette and the CDHF talks logo

CDHF Talks: Understanding the Benefits & Risks of IBD Treatment Options

Mediaplanet: Living with IBD: An Invisible Illness

Biosimilars Initiatives Banner

Biosimilars Initiatives

Children in a classroom raising their hands to answer a question

Blackboards and Bathrooms: A comprehensive resource to help teachers support the education of children with IBD

Women sitting in robe

Spa Day? No thanks, I have a Colonoscopy.

How to Find Functional Foods with Added Probiotics

Women and male bathroom stall

Managing your Digestive Health in the Workplace Webinar

Hands on top of other hands supporting one another

IBS, IBD & Mental Health Webinar

Tornado over someones stomach, holding stomach

Living with Ulcerative Colitis Infographic

Stethoscope on blue background

IBD Treatment Options: Understanding Your Risks and Benefits

Robbie’s Rainbow “You, Me and IBD” Magazine

Stethascope on a blue background

Transition Pathway Brochure for IBD Patients

British Columbia Flag marking a map of Canada

BC Biosimilars Initiative: Phase Two Information

IBD Awareness Month

November is IBD Awareness Month

Map of Alberta close up

Alberta Health Biosimilars Initiative

People sitting on a computer listening to a presentation

Hot off the Presses: The Latest IBD Information from Scientific Meetings Webinar

Webinar: Understanding the Benefits and Risks of IBD Therapies

Preparing for your GI Appointment

Registered dietitian writing in notebook on desk

My Experience with Crohn’s Disease as a RD

Two young boys playing hockey

Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Dr. Thomas Walters

Two cartoon medicine bottles on white background

Nova Scotia Biosimilar Initiative

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) with Dr. Mike Evans

IBD Treatment Options- Understanding Your Benefits and Risks Animation

IBD and Pregnancy

CDHF Talks: Dietary Updates and Recommendations for the IBD Patient on a Biosimilar

Uncovering Biologics: Your IBD Bodyguard!

Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease: What’s the Difference? Infographic

Fecal Calprotectin: The Inside Story on Inflammation

Teenager sitting outside with headphones on

Living with Crohn’s Disease: Infographic

Taking a photo of food

Diet & Lifestyle Changes for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

CDHF Talks: Managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in the Elderly

CDHF Talks: Maintaining a Healthy Weight with IBD

Two cartoon medicine bottles on white background

Quebec Biosimilars Initiative

Flag of New Brunswick on a pin stuck on a map showing New Brunswick

New Brunswick Biosimilars Initiative

IBD Animation

Switching from a Biologic to a Biosimilar

What’s Health Canada Saying about Biosimilars?

Teen boy talking to doctor

Biosimilars for IBD: Making the Transition Webinar

Woman in chair reading her laptop and smiling

Biosimilar Library

CDHF Talks: Your New Infusion Clinic

Girl watching ipad

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Digital Toolkit for the Newly Diagnosed

My Life with Ulcerative Colitis

The Timeline of my Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis

What I Eat in a Day with Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis: My Day to Day with IBD

Let’s Imagine UC Differently

Living Positively with Ulcerative Colitis

Photo of David Mcguire

My First Surgery for Crohn’s Disease: My Life Changed Forever

Man lifting a weight in the gym

5 Sure-Fire Ways to get Bigger, Stronger and Leaner while having IBD: Crohn’s Disease

Notebook with Crohn's disease written on it

Right Hemicolectomy: My Experiences. What’s Next?

Medication on a blue microbe background

IBD Medications during COVID-19

Christmas present

Navigating the Holidays with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Women looking off to the side

Setting Goals to Manage IBD

COVID-19 Vaccines in Immunocompromised Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Covid vaccine

Should IBD patients take the COVID-19 vaccine?

Toilet paper rolling out with a purple background

Why is there Blood in my Stool? Rectal Bleeding

Bear on hospital bed with child

Children with IBD: A Shift in Hospitalization Rates

Yogurt bowl

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Dietary Patterns

Women looking off to the side with her cell phone in hand

Behaviour Change Strategies

Fecal calprotectin stool test

What is the Fecal Calprotectin Test?

healthy foods

Diet & Lifestyle Changes for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

David in the gym looking off to the side

The Psychological effects of IBD: My Crohn’s Story and how I Overcame It

Teenager with his mother

Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult IBD Webinar