{"id":2260,"date":"2022-08-17T15:27:52","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T15:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cdhf.staging.not4prod.com\/?p=2260"},"modified":"2026-04-21T14:40:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:40:08","slug":"nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Nova Scotia Biosimilar Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-changing\"><strong>What is Changing in the Nova Scotia Pharmacare Coverage for Biologics?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/novascotia.ca\/dhw\/pharmacare\/information-for-patients-about-biosimilars.asp\">Government of Nova Scotia<\/a>&nbsp;is expanding the use of biosimilar medications in Nova Scotia Pharmacare programs. Patients covered under Pharmacare will need to switch to a biosimilar version of their prescribed medication to retain coverage. The Nova Scotia initiative follows similar efforts elsewhere in Canada namely British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Northwest Territories. Tens of thousands of Canadians have safely switched to a biosimilar in those initiatives. They are also used extensively in Europe, where countries have had over 15 years of experience with biosimilars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Between now and February 2023, you will need to switch to a biosimilar version of your biologic drug, unless an exemption is granted. This will include the use of the following biosimilars, used to treat Crohn\u2019s disease and ulcerative colitis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Inflectra\u00ae, Renflexis\u2122 and Avosola\u2122&nbsp;<strong>(biosimilars of Remicade\u00ae)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Idacio\u00ae, Amgevita\u2122, Hadlima\u00ae, Hyrimoz\u00ae, Hulio\u00ae&nbsp;<strong>(biosimilars of Humira<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are currently receiving Remicade\u00ae or Humira<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>&nbsp;to switch to a biosimilar medication, you need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>check the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/novascotia.ca\/dhw\/pharmacare\/information-for-patients-about-biosimilars.asp#medications-that-require-switching\">list of medications that require switching&nbsp;<\/a>to biosimilars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>contact your prescriber (like a doctor, nurse or healthcare provider) if your prescribed medication is on the list of medications that require switching<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>get a new prescription for the biosimilar medication from your prescriber<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>enroll in financial or clinical biosimilar patient assistance programs if necessary (your prescriber can direct you to these programs)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your prescriber can apply for an exemption for clinical reasons. If this exemption is not approved or if you don\u2019t qualify for an exemption, coverage of the original biologic medication will end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/novascotia.ca\/dhw\/pharmacare\/information-for-patients-about-biosimilars.asp\">For more information from Nova Scotia Pharmacare click here.&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Nova Scotia Biosimilars Policy for Patients\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2luLlS0y6sQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CDHF Biosimilar Library<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"arrow-link wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/biosimilar-library\/\">Learn more about biosimilars and what they are at our biosimilar library<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. What is a biologic?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Biologic (reference) drugs are medications made by using living organisms (such as yeast or animal cells) to produce complex proteins that are purified then administered to affect certain processes in the human body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. What is a biosimilar?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A biosimilar is a drug demonstrated to be highly similar to a biologic (reference) drug, that has been authorized for sale in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. What do experts say about the safety and efficacy of biosimilars?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/health-canada\/services\/drugs-health-products\/biologics-radiopharmaceuticals-genetic-therapies\/applications-submissions\/guidance-documents\/fact-sheet-biosimilars.html\">Health Canada<\/a>&nbsp;is responsible for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of all new drugs including biologics and biosimilars. For a biosimilar drug to be approved in Canada, Health Canada must find no meaningful differences in safety and effectiveness compared to the biologic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See more<a href=\"https:\/\/novascotia.ca\/dhw\/pharmacare\/information-for-patients-about-biosimilars.asp\">&nbsp;here.&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Do I have to switch to a biosimilar?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of the biosimilars initiative, if you receive coverage through a Nova Scotia Pharmacare plan and you currently take Remicade\u00ae or Humira<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>&nbsp;for the treatment of Crohn\u2019s disease or ulcerative colitis, you must switch to the biosimilar version before the end of the transition period to avoid any disruption to your coverage. There may be medical reasons why you cannot switch to a biosimilar. Your healthcare provider can help you determine if it is medically necessary to remain on a biologic (reference) drug and will confirm if you qualify for an exemption.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Why is the change happening?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Much like generics, biosimilar versions of drugs become available when the original manufacturer of a biologic drug no longer has patent protection. Other manufacturers are then able to produce the same drug, making the same therapy available at a lower cost. Switching to biosimilars where they are available will save the Province an estimated $13 million annually once fully implemented. Additional savings are expected as more biosimilars become available in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. How do I maintain my coverage?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To maintain your coverage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make an appointment to speak with your health care provider to discuss switching.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your healthcare provider can explain the switch process, answer any questions you may have, register you with the new patient support program, have your new prescription into place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"resourcelinks\"><strong>CDHF Resource Links<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/biosimilar-library\/\"><strong>NEW!<\/strong>&nbsp;Explore CDHF&#8217;s Biosimilar Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/cdhf-talks-your-new-infusion-clinic\/\">CDHFTalks: Your New Infusion Clinic.. Not the Same, but Similar.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/switching-to-a-biosimilar-effies-experience\/\">Effie&#8217;s Experience Switching to a Biosimilar<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/transition-pathway-brochure-for-ibd-patients\/\">CDHF | Transition Pathway Brochure for IBD Patients<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/biosimilars-for-ibd-making-the-transition\/\">CDHF | Biosimilars for IBD: Making the Transition Webinar<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/whats-health-canada-saying-about-biosimilars-animation\/\">CDHF | What\u2019s Health Canada saying about Biosimilars Animation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/whats-health-canada-saying-about-biosimilars-infographic\/\">CDHF | What\u2019s Health Canada saying about Biosimilars Infographic<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/switching-from-a-biologic-to-a-biosimilar\/\">CDHF | IBD: Switching from a Biologic to a Biosimilar Animation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Learn More<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"external-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/novascotia.ca\/dhw\/pharmacare\/information-for-patients-about-biosimilars.asp\">Nova Scotia Information for Patients<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"external-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/health-canada\/services\/drugs-health-products\/biologics-radiopharmaceuticals-genetic-therapies\/applications-submissions\/guidance-documents\/fact-sheet-biosimilars.html\">Health Canada Factsheet on Biosimilars<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"external-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/health-canada\/services\/drugs-health-products\/biologics-radiopharmaceuticals-genetic-therapies\/applications-submissions\/guidance-documents\/information-submission-requirements-biosimilar-biologic-drugs-1.html\">Government of Canada | Guidance Documents: Information and Submission Requirements for Biosimilar Biologic Drug<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Other Relevant Resources<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/biosimilaroptions.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Biosimilars Working Group<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/crohnsandcolitis.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Crohn\u2019s and Colitis Canada<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/biosim.jointhealth.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Biosim Excha<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/biosim.jointhealth.org\/\">nge<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cadth.ca\/sites\/default\/files\/pdf\/biosimilar_drugs_professional_en.pdf\">CADTH Biosimilar Drugs | Fact Sheet<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cadth.ca\/sites\/default\/files\/pdf\/biosimilar_drugs_professional_en.pdf\">Health Canada, Biosimilar Biologic Drugs in Canada | Fact Sheet<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/health-canada\/services\/drugs-health-products\/biologics-radiopharmaceuticals-genetic-therapies\/applications-submissions\/guidance-documents\/information-submission-requirements-biosimilar-biologic-drugs-1.html\">Government of Canada | Guidance Documents: Information and Submission Requirements for Biosimilar Biologic Drug<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Changing in the Nova Scotia Pharmacare Coverage for Biologics? The&nbsp;Government of Nova Scotia&nbsp;is expanding the use of biosimilar medications in Nova Scotia Pharmacare programs. Patients covered under Pharmacare will need to switch to a biosimilar version of their prescribed medication to retain coverage. The Nova Scotia initiative follows similar efforts elsewhere in Canada [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4447,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cdhf2022_sponsors_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[85,30],"class_list":["post-2260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","tag-biologics-biosimilars","tag-policy"],"acf":{"article_writer":[101]},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/quebec-biosimilars.webp","author_info":{"display_name":"Sophie Allan","author_link":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/author\/sophie-allen\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Nova Scotia Biosimilar Initiative - Canadian Digestive Health Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Nova Scotia biosimilar initiative follows similar efforts elsewhere in Canada. Tens of thousands of Canadians have safely switched to a biosimilar as part of those initiatives. They are also used extensively in Europe, where countries have had over 15 years of experience with biosimilars.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Nova Scotia Biosimilar Initiative - Canadian Digestive Health Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Nova Scotia biosimilar initiative follows similar efforts elsewhere in Canada. Tens of thousands of Canadians have safely switched to a biosimilar as part of those initiatives. They are also used extensively in Europe, where countries have had over 15 years of experience with biosimilars.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Canadian Digestive Health Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CDHFdn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-08-17T15:27:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-21T14:40:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/quebec-biosimilars.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sophie Allan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@TheCDHF\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@TheCDHF\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sophie Allan\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Sophie Allan\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/70d0733e8829dc3d75b25a0395127248\"},\"headline\":\"Nova Scotia Biosimilar Initiative\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-08-17T15:27:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-21T14:40:08+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/\"},\"wordCount\":801,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/quebec-biosimilars.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"Biologics &amp; Biosimilars\",\"Policy\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Article\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/\",\"name\":\"Nova Scotia Biosimilar Initiative - Canadian Digestive Health Foundation\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/nova-scotia-biosimilar-initiative\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/quebec-biosimilars.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-08-17T15:27:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-21T14:40:08+00:00\",\"description\":\"The Nova Scotia biosimilar initiative follows similar efforts elsewhere in Canada. 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