Uptake of biosimilar drugs in Canada: analysis of provincial policies and usage data

Biologics represent a large segment of drug spending in Canada: although they constituted just 1.5% of prescription volumes, biologics accounted for 27.3% of expenditures in 2018. As of 2018, the price of biologics in Canada, including spending per capita, was second only to that in the US among the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. Here, McClean et al evaluate the current state of biosimilar policies and use across Canada. They also discuss interchangeability and indication extrapolation before making suggestions for enhancing the market through harmonization of biosimilar policies, patient and prescriber education, and manufacturer collaboration.