Patients need not be afraid of biosimilar medicines

Re: Patients on biologics need to be wary of substitutions, Opinion, Dec. 26.

At a time when provincial and private insurance drug plans are contemplating transitioning patients from their current biologic “originator” to its Health Canada-approved biologic “biosimilar,” patients should be informed about the scientific evidence for this safe, effective and cost-saving practice, one that has taken place in health-care systems like Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Germany. Thousands of patients have been transitioned to biosimilars and are doing as well as they were on their originator.

Research confirms that in inflammatory arthritis — the disease area where by far most biologic medications are used — it’s safe and effective to transition from a biologic originator to a biologic biosimilar.

More than 70 peer-reviewed studies in rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology and other inflammatory diseases show little to no clinical differences between biosimilars and their originators. All biologics, whether originators or biosimilars, are made in “batches” and vary slightly from batch to batch. Interestingly, a biosimilar “batch” can be more like its originator than the originator when it first came onto the market.

Attempts at fearmongering about transitioning to a biosimilar when both the science and subsequent real-world patient experience is clear that it’s safe, effective and cost-effective to do so, isn’t in the best interest of patients or the public.

Arthritis health professional and community organizations in B.C. are working on behalf of patients and members to ensure that cost savings from biosimilars are reinvested toward the reimbursement of new innovative medicines and improving other aspects of inflammatory arthritis care, such as the provision of nursing and counselling services.

Before transitioning patients to biosimilars, our community has asked that all patients be fully informed well in advance and have all available information about the medication. There are several places patients can go for unbiased, evidence-based information, including their rheumatologist or patient organizations such as Arthritis Consumer Experts.

Patients in B.C. should be informed about biosimilars, not be afraid.

Cheryl Koehn, president and founder, Arthritis Consumer Experts, and

Kelly English, Vancouverite living with rheumatoid arthritis for 23 years.