Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative

You may be affected by the Biosimilars Initiative if:

1. You are newly starting or currently using a biologic medication on the List of Drugs Affected, and
2. You receive Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage for this biologic medication.

New Patients: Starting a Biosimilar Medication

• Patients who are newly starting an affected biologic medication will receive Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage for a biosimilar version beginning on the Formulary Listing Date shown in the List of Drugs Affected.

Existing Patients: Transitioning to a Biosimilar Medication

• Patients who are currently using an affected reference biologic medication will need to transition to a biosimilar version by the end of the announced transition period to maintain Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of their treatment. The announced transition period allows time for patients using an affected reference biologic medication to talk to their health care provider and get a new prescription for a biosimilar.
• Patients who may need to transition to a biosimilar medication to maintain their Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage will be notified directly by letter.
• After the announced transition period, the Saskatchewan Drug Plan will no longer cover the reference biologic medication.

To transition to a biosimilar medication, you should:

• Check the List of Drugs Affected to see if you need to use a biosimilar to maintain Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of this medication.
• At your next appointment, talk to the health care provider who prescribed your current biologic medication. If you don’t have an appointment scheduled before the transition period ends, call their office to book one.
• You will need a new prescription for the biosimilar version of your medication because your pharmacy or clinic can only start the biosimilar with a new prescription.
• Discuss your questions about biosimilars with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
• In some cases, you may have the option to enrol in a Patient Support Program (PSP). If applicable and appropriate, your health care provider can help you with this.

Prescriptions for Biosimilar Medications

Patients will need to obtain a new prescription for a biosimilar version of their affected reference biologic.

• Biosimilars are not listed as interchangeable with the reference biologic on the Saskatchewan Formulary. They cannot be substituted at the pharmacy level.
• Prescriptions must clearly indicate the biosimilar brand to be dispensed by the pharmacy.

Exception Drug Status (EDS)

Patients who have current EDS approval for an affected reference biologic will have EDS approval added for the biosimilar version(s) at the beginning of the transition period.

• Health care providers do not need to submit a new EDS application for their patients to transition to a biosimilar.
• Health care providers can also confirm their patient’s EDS approval on their Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP) profile.

Letters will be sent to patients who are using an affected reference biologic medication to notify them of the Biosimilars Initiative and EDS approval updates. Prescribers will be notified and this website will be updated when these letters are sent.

Exemptions to the Biosimilars Initiative

Exemptions for a patient to maintain coverage of a reference biologic will be considered for those who cannot use a biosimilar for a medical reason.

• Prescribers may submit an Exemption Request Form for review by the Drug Plan on a case-by-case basis. The Exemption Request Form can be found in the Prescriber Forms section.
• Prescribers and patients will be notified of exemption decisions directly by letter.
• For questions related to biosimilar exemption requests, prescribers can contact sk.biosimilars@health.gov.sk.ca or call 1-800-667-2549 (306-787-8744 in Regina), and press 2, then 3.
• Patients will continue to be able to access Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of their reference biologic medication if a suitable biosimilar format is not available.

If you also receive medication coverage from a private insurance provider (such as a benefits plan through your employer):

• Your private insurance provider may coordinate your benefits with the Saskatchewan Drug Plan.
• Contact your private insurance provider with questions about your private drug coverage benefits and how the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative may apply to your private benefits.

The list of drugs affected shows the biologic medications currently included in the Biosimilars Initiative.

*Please refer to the Saskatchewan Formulary for the most current listings.

**Omlyclo is also listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary as an Exception Drug Status (EDS) benefit for other conditions.

Please note that patients will continue to be able to access Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of their reference biologic medication if a suitable biosimilar format is not available.

Patients using Humalog® (insulin lispro), NovoRapid® (insulin aspart), and Lantus® (insulin glargine)

• Coverage of Humalog® 200 units/mL will continue to be available for patients who need a higher concentration formula as there is no equivalent biosimilar format at this time.
• NovoRapid® and Lantus® vials will remain covered at this time until biosimilar(s) in a vial format are listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary. Existing vial users have ongoing coverage in place. Prescribers can request an exemption to the policy for new patients requiring a vial format.
• Lantus® cartridges will remain an Exception Drug Status (EDS) benefit for pediatric patients who require a half-unit pen device to administer insulin glargine.
• NovoRapid® will remain an EDS benefit for patients who use insulin pumps while the biosimilar(s) undergo insulin pump certification.
• Individuals with questions about insulin compatibility with specific insulin pump models are encouraged to contact the insulin pump manufacturer or their health care provider.

Concluded Transition Periods

The transition periods for the following reference biologic medications have concluded. Patients are required to use a biosimilar version to be eligible for Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of these medications unless they have an approved exemption.

• March 31, 2024 – Medication(s) affected: Humalog® 100 units/mL
• April 30, 2023 – Medication(s) affected: Humira®, Lovenox®, Enbrel®, Neupogen®, Copaxone®, Remicade®, NovoRapid® (cartridge), Lantus® (cartridge, pre-filled pen), Rituxan®

Biologic medications are made from living organisms or their cells. Biologic medications differ from most other medications that are made solely from chemicals. Biologic medications include hormones, blood products, antibodies, genes, and vaccines. Biologics are used to treat many different diseases, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, etc.

A reference biologic or “originator” biologic medication is the first version of a biologic medication to be made.

Biosimilar medications are the next versions of the biologic medication to be made after the reference biologic’s patent expires. All biosimilars approved by Health Canada meet rigorous quality standards to confirm that they are as effective and safe as the reference biologic.

• Biosimilars are produced to the same quality as reference biologics but can be made at a much lower cost. Biosimilars cost less because they are based on work already done to develop the reference biologic medication.
• The expected therapeutic effect is the same for both a reference biologic and its biosimilar versions.
• For more information, see Information for Patients and Prescribers section and Resources and Studies section.

Many biosimilar manufacturers provide patient support programs (PSPs) and services similar to those of the reference biologic manufacturer to assist patients starting and transitioning to a biosimilar medication. If applicable and appropriate, your health care provider can help you enrol in a biosimilar PSP.

• Note: PSP information is provided to the Saskatchewan Drug Plan by the manufacturers and may not be available for all biologic products. Please contact the PSP or drug manufacturer directly for more information.

For more information, see Patient Support Programs.

• Information about Biologic and Biosimilar Medications
• Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative: Information for Patients
• Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative: Information for Prescribers

Download Patient List Request Form

Download Exemption Request Form

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medSask is a drug information service that provides accurate, evidence-based information on medications and medication therapy to the general public, health care providers and other collaborators. medSask is available to support patients and health care providers with questions about biosimilar medications.

• Support for patients:
  • Visit medSask – Biosimilars in Saskatchewan - General Public
  • Email med.sask@usask.ca
  • Call 1-800-665-3784 (306-966-6378 in Saskatoon)
    
    
• Support for health care providers:
  
  • Visit medSask – Biosimilars in Saskatchewan
  • Email druginfo@usask.ca
  • Call 1-800-667-3425 (306-966-6340 in Saskatoon)

Download Biosimilars Policy Resources

Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative: Notice to Patients - Humalog® (insulin lispro)

Biosimilar Insulin Transition Fee (BITF) Pharmacy Policy and Billing Procedure

Biosimilar Insulin Administrative Pharmacist Assessment Record (A-PAR) and Guide

Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative – Guide for Patients

Letter to Health Care Providers – November 17, 2025

For general questions about the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative, please contact the Saskatchewan Drug Plan by email: sk.biosimilars@health.gov.sk.ca or call 1-800-667-2549 (306-787-8744 in Regina), and press option 2, then 2.