By Canadian Press

Drug Coverage

NDP Health Critic fights Alberta’s switch to bio-similar medications

Jan 15, 2020 | 2:21 PM

EDMONTON – Alberta’s Opposition is urging the province not to force patients on certain drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and Crohn’s disease to switch medications.

NDP health critic David Shepherd says this is the safest way to make sure those patients don’t suffer crippling complications or setbacks from the switchover.

The province is currently switching new and 26-thousand existing patients from bio-logic drugs to bio-similar ones.

Biologics are complex drugs derived from living cells, while biosimilars mimic the original drugs but are based on expired patents and can be delivered for less money.

The move is expected to save the province up to 380 million dollars over the next few years.

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The government notes Health Canada has signed off on switching to biosimilars as safe and effective, and that similar policies are in place in the United Kingdom, Poland, Norway, and Austria.

But the N-D-P and some patients say there have been cases where the switch-over had serious complications.

The change goes into effect July 1st.