The Government of Yukon is committed to building a sustainable, people-centered approach to improving health systems. That is why the Yukon government is enhancing the public drug plan with biosimilars.
A biosimilar is a biologic drug that is highly similar to a drug that was already authorized for sale. They are a safe, effective medication used to treat certain chronic and autoimmune diseases. Biosimilars are a lower-cost option that support the sustainability of the Yukon’s public drug plan while strengthening access to safe and affordable medication. The Yukon is the latest Canadian jurisdiction to make the transition. Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories have all made the switch.
Yukoners enrolled in Pharmacare or the Chronic Disease and Disability Benefits programs may need to transition from their current biologic drug to a biosimilar. Due to the types of conditions that biosimilars are used to treat, most people who will need to switch have access to a health care provider.
Yukoners will have six months to work with a health care provider to make the transition from their current biologic drug to a biosimilar to maintain coverage.
Learn which drugs are included as well as the associated timelines at yukon.ca/changing-biosimilar-medication.
This initiative represents a recommendation in the Putting People First report.
Biosimilars are safe, effective, and low-cost drugs used to manage chronic and autoimmune diseases. By enhancing our public drug plan with biosimilars, we are strengthening access to safe and affordable medication while also supporting the sustainability of our healthcare system. This transition aligns the Yukon with other jurisdictions and is another step in achieving our commitments in Putting People First.
Yukon doctors see sustainability of the health care system as a key part of ensuring that Yukoners receive the best health care possible. Incorporating biosimilars into these publicly administered drug and benefit programs is part of ensuring equitable high-quality health care into the future.
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People who use medications that are switching to a biosimilar will be notified by a health care provider.
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Yukoners can also learn which drugs will be switching to biosimilars on Yukon.ca/changing-biosimilar-medication.
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Biosimilars are held to the same regulatory standards as other drugs in Canada and are approved by Health Canada.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Claire Robson
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-5907
claire.robson@yukon.ca