Supporting your patients switching to a biosimilar

The Yukon Biosimilar Initiative was launched on April 3rd, 2023. The Initiative has already successfully transitioned two reference biologics to biosimilar versions.

Effective October 30th, 2023, the Yukon Biosimilar Initiative introduced six drugs listed on the Yukon Drug Plan Formulary as part of phase 2 of the Yukon Biosimilar Initiative.

What is a biosimilar?

Biosimilars are highly similar, safe and effective versions of the originator biologic drug, but are much less expensive.

Why are we switching to biosimilars?

By using biosimilars we'll reduce costs. This will improve the sustainability of our public drug plan. 

Do you need to switch your patients?

Some people enrolled in the Pharmacare or Chronic Disease and Disability Benefits programs may need to switch to a biosimilar medication.

To start switching patients to biosimilars:

  1. Submit a form to the programs to receive a list of patients who may need to switch.
  2. Discuss the switch with your patients.
  3. Write a new prescription for a biosimilar.

Learn which drugs need to be switched to a biosimilar. We'll update the list as we add new biosimilars. 

Learn which drugs need to be switched to a biosimilar. We'll update the list as we add new biosimilars. 

List of drugs included in the Yukon Biosimilars Initiative

Drug                Originator (switch from)     

Biosimilar (switch to)     

Conditions Switching period      

Phase 2 (November 8, 2023 to May 8, 2024)

 

Insulin aspart

NovoRapid®

Kirsty®

Trurapi®

Insulin Pumps:
Coverage for NovoRapid® vial will continue to be available for patient who use insulin pumps while the biosimilar(s) undergo  insulin pump certification.

Diabetes November 8, 2023- May 8, 2024
Insulin lispro

Humalog®

Admelog®

Humalog® 200 units/mL
Coverage will continue to be available for patients who need a higher concentration formula, as there is no equivalent biosimilar format at this time.

Insulin Pumps: Admelog® is compatible with various insulin pumps models from Insulet (Omnipod), Medtronic, Tandem, Ypsomed.

Diabetes November 8, 2023- May 8, 2024
Etanercept

Enbrel®

Brenzys®

Erelzi®

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Plaque psoriasis

Psoriatic arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

November 8, 2023- May 8, 2024

Glatiramer acetate

Copaxone®

GlatectTM

Multiple Sclerosis November 8, 2023- May 8, 2024
Rituximab

Rituxan®

Truxima®

Riximyo®

Ruxience®

Rheumatoid arthritis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)

Multiple Sclerosis

November 8, 2023- May 8, 2024
Enoxaparin

Lovenox®

Redesca®

Inclunox®

Noromby®

Elonox®

Prevention and treatment of thromboembolic events November 8, 2023- May 8, 2024

Phase 1 (April 3rd, 2023 to October 3rd, 2023)

Insulin glargine

Lantus ®

Basaglar ®

  • Cartridge
  • Kwikpen® prefilled pen

Semglee ®

  • prefilled pen

Lantus® vials will remain covered until biosimilar vial formats are listed on the Yukon Drug Plan Formulary.
 

-Individuals who use vial may be transitioned to a biosimilar insulin in a cartridge/prefilled pen to support patient care/preference.
Diabetes Switching period completed
Adalimumab

Humira ®

  • Amgevita ®

  • Hadlima ®

  • Hulio ®

  • Hyrimoz ®

  • Idacio ®

  • Yuflyma ®

  • Abrilada ®

  • Simlandi ®

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Crohn’s disease

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Plaque psoriasis

Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Ulcerative Colitis

Switching period completed

Are there any exceptions?

Medical exemptions

You can submit an exemption request for medical reasons to the programs.

Exemptions for specific circumstances

Patient is under 18 years of age

  • They'll receive coverage for originator biologics until they turn 18.
  • Once they turn 18, they'll have 6 months to transition to a biosimilar to maintain coverage.

Patient is pregnant

  • They'll receive coverage for originator biologics until they are no longer pregnant.
  • Once their pregnancy ends, they'll have 6 months to transition to a biosimilar to maintain coverage.

Patient is new to the Yukon

  • They'll receive coverage for the originator biologics for their first 6 months after moving here.
  • After 6 months, they'll have to transition to a biosimilar to maintain coverage.

Talking with patients about biosimilars

Your patients may come to you as a trusted source for more information about biosimilars. The most important information your patients need to know is that biosimilars are:

  • safe and effective;
  • work similarly to their current medications;
  • have no increased risk;
  • are used across Canada and around the world; and
  • do not involve major changes to their routine.

Resources

Literature reviews

Arthritis consumer experts

Arthritis Research Canada

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation: Crohn’s disease

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation: ulcerative colitis

Other Canadian jurisdictions

Contact: 

If you have questions:

  • email yukondrugplanformulary@yukon.ca;
  • call Pharmacare 867-667-5403, or toll free in the Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 5403; or
  • call the Chronic Disease and Disability Benefits program 867-667-5092, toll free in the Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 5092.