Green Shield Canada is rolling out a new biosimilar transition program as a pilot project through the first half of 2018, with an aim to extending it to all of its employer clients by the end of the year.
The program, which was designed to help plan members transition from an originator drug to a corresponding biosimilar, will initially focus on two medications — Remicade and Enbrel — for the conditions of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.
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Participating plan members who currently take those medications will be sent a letter explaining the evidence for transitioning to biosimilars, the details of the program and the steps to come. They’ll be able to either choose a one-time transition to the biosimilar after discussing it with their doctor or continue on their current treatment and pay the difference, according to a news release from Green Shield Canada.
More drugs and conditions will be added as the number of biosimilars on the market grows and more indications for existing biosimilars are approved, noted the release. As well, the program won’t be automatically added to all of Green Shield Canada’s prescription drug plans, but its employer clients will have the opportunity to opt into it later this year.
Read: Canadian physicians more familiar with biosimilars but still lack understanding: survey