Biologics and Biosimilars in Public Drug
Program Spending in Canada
Biological medicines help to treat or prevent many rare and severe diseases.
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In 2022, the total spending on the Public Drug Program reached $17.2 billion. Biologic drugs accounted for 27.3% of the total spending but constituted only 2.4% of the total claims submitted. This disparity underscores the high cost of biologic therapies compared to their frequency of use, reflecting their specialized nature and the complex conditions they often treat.
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A study covering July 1st, 2016, to June 30th, 2018, found that exclusive purchasing of biosimilar drugs for infliximab, filgrastim, and insulin glargine would have saved Canada over $1 Billion Dollars
As of the end of 2021, Canadians had only realized about 30% of the potential savings from biosimilar use, with up to 70% in annual cost savings possible if biosimilar switching initiatives were implemented across all payers nationally.
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These savings demonstrate the significant potential for biosimilars to reduce healthcare costs in Canada, allowing for reinvestment in expanded drug coverage and improved healthcare services.
To learn more about how Biosimilars can help your patients and the Healthcare system take the University_of_TorontoX: Advanced Knowledge and Skills of Originator and Biosimilar Biologics: For Health Care Providers
Course Summary
Provide your name and email to download a summary of the course and a list of Health Canada approved Biosimilars as of January 1st 2025.
