Update: On December 11, 2023, the Biosimilar Policy was updated to provide coverage through January 30, 2024, to ensure patients are able to access treatment over the holidays.
On December 20, 2022, Ontario announced it is implementing a biosimilars transition policy. Starting March 31, 2023, patients receiving coverage from the Ontario Drug Benefit plan for the following innovator biologics can begin to transition to a biosimilar:
- REMICADE (infliximab)
- ENBREL (etanercept)
- LANTUS (insulin glargine)
- RITUXAN (rituximab)
- HUMALOG (insulin lispro)
- HUMIRA (adalimumab)
- NOVORAPID (insulin aspart)
- COPAXONE (glatiramer acetate) (not a biologic, but a complex molecule included under the policy in Ontario and other jurisdictions)
At the end of the transition period, December 29, 2023, the Ontario Drug Benefit program will not fund the above innovator biologics subject to exemptions. Exemptions will be considered for patients in certain clinical circumstances on a case-by-case basis in consultation with their health care provider.
Ontario is the eighth jurisdiction to implement a biosimilars transition policy, joining British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, Quebec, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan: see our previous update on biosimilars in Canada.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Life Sciences Regulatory & Compliance group.
The preceding is intended as a timely update on Canadian intellectual property and technology law. The content is informational only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. To obtain such advice, please communicate with our offices directly.