Recent changes regarding provincial drug plans have attracted the attention of our clients and elevated the importance of how employers and sponsors should adapt to these initiatives.
In this regard, Benchmark would like to take this opportunity to present insights from our Vice President, Group Benefits, Marcelina Ayow. We are fortunate to have a professional of Marcelina’s experience and business knowledge to serve our clients.
Switching initiatives to biosimilars are led by the public health plans and, as such, will be
managed by the patient’s physician. In Ontario, physicians have until the end of 2023 to transition to biosimilar drugs unless an exception, through the Exceptional Access Program, applies..
READ MARCELINA’S FULL INSIGHTS BELOW
Q: We hear terms like generic, biosimilar, and biologic drugs in a lot of communication. Do these all mean the same thing or are there differences in what they pertain to?
A: Biosimilars are not the same as generics.
Generic drugs are small molecules that are chemically synthesized.
They contain identical medicinal ingredients to their referenced products (brand-name drugs).
According to the Canadian Drug and Health Technology Agency Generic Drugs are copies of brand-name drugs, produced after the original patent expired. Generic and brand-name drugs have identical active ingredients and must meet Health Canada’s standards for bioequivalence. Although the active ingredients are the same, the excipients (inactive ingredients) may differ. This is only important in cases when a patient has an allergy or sensitivity to one of the excipients.
According to Health Canada,, a Biosimilar biologic drug, referred to as biosimilar, is a biologic drug that is highly similar to a biologic drug that was already authorized for sale. The biologic drug that was already authorized for sale is called a “reference biologic drug”. There are no expected clinically meaningful differences in efficacy and safety between a biosimilar and its reference biologic drug.
A biosimilar and its reference biologic drug are shown to be highly similar, but not identical. This is because biologic drugs are:
- often large and complex
- made from living cells rather than with chemicals, and
- naturally variable
Compared to generic drugs, more studies are needed for the regulatory authorization of a biosimilar in order to demonstrate that it is highly similar to its reference biologic drug.
Q: The Changes in the provinces with the use of biosimilar drugs started in 2019 whereas generic substitution started years before that. The first biosimilar to receive approval in Canada was Sandoz’s Growth HormoneTreatment Omnitrope in 2009. When did each Province/Territory launch Biosimilar initiatives in Public Health Plans?
A: The current landscape is as follows:
- British Columbia – May 2019
- Alberta – December 2019
- New Brunswick – April 2021
- Quebec – May 2021
- Northwest Territories – December 2021
- Nova Scotia – February 2022
- Saskatchewan – October 2022
- Ontario – March 2023
- Newfoundland and Labrador – March 2023
Q: What are some of the coverage and policy changes you anticipate from insurers of private health plans?
A: We do not anticipate changes in plan design or insurers’ approach to managing biologic and biosimilar drugs.
Patients who are currently using biologic drugs will be grandfathered by the insurers. Switching to biosimilars will occur in due course throughout 2023.
Switching initiatives to biosimilars are led by public health plans and, as such, will be managed by the patient’s physician. In Ontario, physicians have until the end of 2023to transition patients to biosimilar drugs unless an exception, through the Exceptional Access Program, applies.
Our recent social posts spotlighted two chronic illnesses this month. At Benchmark, we pride ourselves on helping employers provide a more comfortable life for your employees and their families suffering from chronic ailments.
Read more on the two chronic illnesses we focused on this month, and how you can help your employees living with those below:
CANCER IN THE WORKPLACE
Creating a supportive workplace for employees affected by cancer and other illnesses is crucial. Some ways you can assist these employees are flexible work arrangements, emotional support, and comprehensive benefits packages.
Can you tell when an employee may be facing a chronic illness such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, also known as IBS, and struggling to get diagnosed?This IBS Awareness Month, assist those employees by educating yourself and your team about this common condition. You can also provide benefits that cover the cost of medication to control and treat IBS.As an employer, you can make a world of difference in their journey toward getting diagnosed and managing their symptoms.
To get customized or traditional health benefit plans for your employees, contact one of our Experts today!
Phone: 416 270 5398
Email: info@www.benchmarkbenefits.ca