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Transitioning to a Biosimilar Insulin

  1. FAQs for Health Care Providers
  2. FAQs for Patients
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1. FAQs for Health Care Providers

  • What resources are available to help pharmacists support the transition to biosimilar insulins?
    • medSask has developed materials to support pharmacists in selling and recommending biosimilar insulin as a Schedule II drug, and for counseling and educating patients. An Administrative Pharmacist Assessment Record (A-PAR) and guide is available to support pharmacists to assess patients, select a biosimilar insulin, educate and counsel patients, notify a primary prescriber, and follow up with the patient.
    • Pharmacists may be eligible to claim a Biosimilar Insulin Transition Fee (BITF) when supporting the initial transition to a biosimilar insulin. More information can be found in the Resources and Studies section of the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative webpage.
      • Note: A prescription is required for all drugs dispensed under the Drug Plan with the exception of insulin, blood testing agents, urine-testing agents, syringes, needles, lancets and swabs used by diabetic patients.
    • For general questions about the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative, pharmacists can contact sk.biosimilars@health.gov.sk.ca.
  • Do patients who use insulin pumps need to start using a biosimilar to maintain Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of their treatment?
    • Humalog® (insulin lispro):
      • Starting April 1, 2024, patients using Humalog® need to use a biosimilar to maintain Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of their treatment.
      • The listed biosimilar (Admelog®) is compatible with various insulin pump models from Insulet (Omnipod), Medtronic, Tandem, and Ypsomed.
      • Health care providers and patients with questions about insulin compatibility with specific insulin pump models are encouraged to contact the insulin pump manufacturer.
    • NovoRapid® (insulin aspart):
      • Coverage of NovoRapid® will continue to be available for patients who use insulin pumps while the biosimilar(s) undergo insulin pump certification.
    • Reminders:
      • 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.
      • 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 can submit a request and supply clinical rationale for review on a case-by-case basis.
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2. FAQs for Patients

  • What supports are available to help me transition to a biosimilar insulin?
    • Contact your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or diabetes care team with questions about your treatment or about biosimilar insulins.
    • If you receive Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of a reference biologic insulin affected by the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative, you need to start using a biosimilar insulin to keep your coverage.
    • If you have recently received a prescription for an affected reference biologic insulin, you may receive a letter from the Drug Plan with next steps.
    • You can start using a biosimilar insulin by getting a new prescription for a biosimilar from your physician or nurse practitioner, or by asking your pharmacist to help you transition to a biosimilar.
    • medSask is a drug information service available to support patients with questions about their biologic drug treatment.
    • Refer to the Resources and Studies section of the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative webpage for trustworthy information on biosimilars.
    • For general questions about the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative, please contact sk.biosimilars@health.gov.sk.ca or call 1-800-667-7581 (306-787-3317 in Regina).
  • If I use an insulin pump, do I need to start using a biosimilar to maintain Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of my treatment?
    • Humalog® (insulin lispro):
      • Starting April 1, 2024, patients using Humalog® need to use a biosimilar to maintain Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of their treatment.
      • The listed biosimilar (Admelog®) is compatible with various insulin pump models from Insulet (Omnipod), Medtronic, Tandem, and Ypsomed.
      • Patients with questions about insulin compatibility with specific insulin pump models are encouraged to contact the insulin pump manufacturer.
      • Please note that 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® (insulin aspart):
      • Coverage of NovoRapid® will continue to be available for patients who use insulin pumps while the biosimilar(s) undergo insulin pump certification.

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