Posted by Michael Wonder on 27 May 2019
B.C. becomes first province to force change to biosimilar drugs
27 May 2019 - The change will save the government nearly $100 million over the next three years.
Starting today, over 20,000 B.C. patients with cancer or chronic diseases like arthritis, colitis, and diabetes will have six months to transition to drugs that are similar to those they’re taking as the province becomes the first in Canada to stop covering some expensive, formerly patented drugs.
Health Minister Adrian Dix promised that no harm will come from the change that will initially save the government nearly $100 million over three years in its prescription drug program (Pharmacare).
