Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative: Information for Prescribers

About the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative

• The Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative promotes the use of biosimilar versions of biologic medications by individuals who require these medications.
• Under the Biosimilars Initiative, patients receive Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage for the biosimilar version of a biologic medication where one is available and listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary.
• The Biosimilars Initiative will apply to future reference biologics as new biosimilars are added to the Saskatchewan Formulary. Updates will be communicated to health care professionals and patients on an ongoing basis.

Patients Affected by the Biosimilars Initiative

• The Biosimilars Initiative applies to patients who:
  • are newly starting OR currently using a biologic medication on the List of Drugs Affected; AND
  • receive Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage for this biologic medication.
• 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.

Medications Affected by the Biosimilars Initiative

• Please see the List of Drugs Affected for the reference biologic medications currently affected by the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative.
• The Biosimilars Initiative also applies to biologic medications included in previous transition period(s) (see “Concluded Transition Periods”).

Purpose of the Biosimilars Initiative

• Biosimilar medications are becoming available in Canada now that older reference biologic medications are losing their patent protections.
• 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.
• Using biosimilars presents a significant opportunity for cost savings and long-term health system sustainability while providing safe and effective medication options.
• Continued expansion of the Biosimilars Initiative supports patient access to public drug plan coverage. 
• All provincial public drug plans across Canada have put similar policies in place to promote the uptake of biosimilar medications.

Transitioning Patients to a Biosimilar Medication

• Review the List of Drugs Affected and the transition period date(s).
• Identify patients who may need to use a biosimilar version of their medication to maintain Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of their treatment. Prescribers can request a list of patients who are using an affected reference biologic by completing the Patient List Request Form and emailing it to sk.biosimilars@health.gov.sk.ca. See the Prescriber Forms section of the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative web page.
• Work with your patient to discuss their questions or concerns about their treatment, including biosimilar medications.
• Authorize a new prescription for the biosimilar version of the patient’s biologic medication. Biosimilars are not listed as interchangeable with the reference biologic on the Saskatchewan Formulary and cannot be substituted at the pharmacy level. Prescriptions must clearly indicate the biosimilar brand to be dispensed by the pharmacy.
• If applicable and appropriate, support the patient’s enrolment in the biosimilar patient support program (PSP).
• Where applicable, patients who have current Exception Drug Status (EDS) approval for an affected reference biologic will have EDS approval added for the biosimilar(s) at the beginning of the transition period. You do not need to submit an EDS application for your patient to transition to a biosimilar.

Biosimilar Medication Transition Period(s)

• There will be a transition period where both the reference biologic medication and biosimilar(s) will be covered.
• Patients who have Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage for a reference biologic medication on the List of Drugs Affected will need to start using a biosimilar version before the end of the announced transition period to maintain Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of their treatment.
• After the end of the transition period, the Saskatchewan Drug Plan will no longer cover the reference biologic medication unless a patient has an approved exemption.

Patient Notification of Biosimilars Initiative

• Letters will be sent directly to patients who are using an affected reference biologic medication to notify them of the Biosimilars Initiative and EDS approval updates.
• Prescribers will also be notified and the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative 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.
• 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.

Patient Supports

• Patients may contact their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist with questions about their treatment or about biosimilar medications.
• 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. See Patient Support Programs (PSPs) for more information.
• Patients can refer to the Information about Biologic and Biosimilar Medications, Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative: Information for Patients, and Resources and Studies sections of the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative website for trustworthy information on biosimilar medications.
• 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 drugs. To contact medSask, patients may:
  
  • Visit the medSask website; or
  • Email med.sask@usask.ca, or
  • Call 1-800-665-3784 (306-966-6378 in Saskatoon).
• For general questions about the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative, patients can contact the Drug Plan at sk.biosimilars@health.gov.sk.ca or call 1-800-667-2549 (306-787-8744 in Regina), and press 2, then 2.

Prescriber Supports

• Prescribers can refer to the Information about Biologic and Biosimilar Medications, Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative: Information for Patients, and Resources and Studies sections of the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative website for trustworthy information on biosimilar medications.
• 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 drugs. To contact medSask, health care providers may:
  
  • Visit the medSask website; or
  • Email druginfo@usask.ca; or
  • Call 1-800-667-3425 (306-966-6340 in Saskatoon).
• For general questions about the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative, prescribers can contact sk.biosimilars@health.gov.sk.ca or call 1-800-667-2549 (306-787-8744 in Regina), and press 2, then 2. 
• 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.