Manitoba Biosimilars Initiative
The Manitoba Biosimilars Initiative was implemented effective August 1, 2024 to improve the uptake of biosimilar drugs.
Biosimilars present a significant opportunity for cost savings and health system sustainability while providing safe and effective medication options. The Biosimilars Initiative will support ongoing access to public drug coverage and new drug benefits for Manitobans.
The Manitoba Biosimilars Initiative will transition provincial drug plan coverage of biologic medications to biosimilar versions, where they are available.
You will need to transition to a biosimilar version of your biologic medication by January 31, 2025, in order to maintain Pharmacare or other provincial drug plan coverage.
Manitoba is joining public drug plans across Canada, including those in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, and Yukon, in implementing a Biosimilars Initiative as part of responsible and sustainable drug plan management.
On This Page:
- About Biologic and Biosimilar Drugs
- About Manitoba’s Biosimilar Initiative
- Products Included in the Biosimilars Initiative
- Transitioning to a Biosimilar
- Exceptions
- Additional Resources
- Contact Us
About Biologic and Biosimilar Drugs
Biologic drugs are made from living organisms or their cells. They differ from most other drugs in that they are not made by chemical synthesis. Examples of biologic drugs include insulins, blood products, antibodies, and growth hormones. Biologics treat many different conditions, including Crohn’s and colitis, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Reference biologics (sometimes called “originator” or “innovator” biologics) are the first version of a biologic drug to be made and sold.
Biosimilars are the next versions of a biologic drug to be made and sold after the reference biologic’s patent expires. Biosimilars work in the same way as the reference biologic drug but are less costly.
Biosimilars are as effective and safe as reference biologics.
- You can expect the same results from biosimilars as the reference biologic you are familiar with.
- Biosimilars are regulated and monitored by Health Canada. Clinical studies show that biosimilars have the same efficacy and safety as the reference biologic drug.
- In Canada and internationally, there have not been any unexpected safety issues identified for biosimilars.
About Manitoba’s Biosimilar Initiative
If you currently use a reference biologic drug listed in the table below and you receive coverage for this medication under Pharmacare or another provincial drug plan, you may be affected by Manitoba’s Biosimilars Initiative.
If you are using a reference biologic with an available biosimilar version, you will need to start using a biosimilar by the transition period end date, in order to maintain coverage.
From now until the end of the transition period, you will be eligible for coverage of both the reference biologic drug and any listed biosimilar(s), to allow for time to talk to your health care provider and get a new prescription for the biosimilar.
After the end of the transition period, the reference biologic drug will no longer be covered under Pharmacare and other provincial drug plans.
Please note: You will continue to be able to access coverage of your reference biologic medication if a suitable biosimilar format is not available.
Products Included in the Biosimilars Initiative
| Drug Name |
Reference Biologic (Switch from) |
Biosimilar (Switch to) |
Health Conditions* | Transition Period End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adalimumab | Humira | Abrilada Amgevita Hadlima Hulio Hyrimoz Idacio Simlandi Yuflyma | Ankylosing Spondylitis Crohn's Disease Hidradenitis Suppurativa Plaque Psoriasis Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Psoriatic Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis | January 31, 2025 |
| Enoxaparin | Lovenox | Elonox Elonox HP Inclunox Inclunox HP Noromby Noromby HP Resdesca Resdesca HP | Prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolic events | January 31, 2025 |
| Etanercept | Enbrel |
Brenzys Erelzi |
Ankylosing Spondylitis Plaque Psoriasis Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Psoriatic Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis | January 31, 2025 |
| Filgrastim | Neupogen | Grastofil Nivestym Nypozi | Prevention and treatment of neutropenia | January 31, 2025 |
|
Glatiramer (a non-biologic complex drug) |
Copaxone | Glatect | Multiple Sclerosis | January 31, 2025 |
| Infliximab | Remicade | Avsola Inflectra Renflexis | Ankylosing Spondylitis Crohn's Disease Plaque Psoriasis Psoriatic Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis | January 31, 2025 |
| Insulin aspart | NovoRapid | Kirsty Trurapi | Diabetes | January 31, 2025 |
| Insulin glargine | Lantus | Basaglar Semglee | Diabetes | January 31, 2025 |
|
Insulin lispro (100 units/mL) |
Humalog | Admelog | Diabetes | January 31, 2025 |
| Rituximab | Rituxan | Riximyo Ruxience Truxima | Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Microscopic Polyangiitis Rheumatoid Arthritis | January 31, 2025 |
* Transition also applies for other conditions, funded on a case-by-case basis, which may not appear in the above list.
Please note:
- Coverage of Humalog 200 units/mL will continue to be available for patients who need a higher concentration formula, as there is no equivalent biosimilar version available at this time.
- Coverage of Lantus cartridges will continue to be available for pediatric patients who require a half-unit pen device to administer insulin glargine.
- Coverage of NovoRapid vials will continue to be available for patients who use vials for an insulin pump, while biosimilars undergo insulin pump certification, and until these biosimilar(s) in a vial format are available / listed on the Manitoba Drug Benefits Formulary.
- Admelog is compatible with various insulin pump models from Insulet (Omnipod), Medtronic, Tandem, and Ypsomed.
- Individuals with questions about insulin compatibility with specific insulin pump models are encouraged to contact the insulin pump manufacturer.
Transitioning to a Biosimilar
If you are using a reference biologic drug included in the Biosimilars Initiative and you receive Pharmacare or other provincial drug plan coverage for this medication, you should:
- Follow-up with the health care provider who prescribes your reference biologic at your next scheduled appointment. Contact their office if you do not have an appointment before January 31, 2025.
- Request a new prescription for the biosimilar version of your medication.
- Discuss your questions about biosimilars with your health care provider.
In some cases, you may have the option to enroll in a patient support program. Your health care provider can assist you with this process.
Exceptions
In limited circumstances, some patients may need to continue using a reference biologic for medical reasons. Exceptions to Manitoba’s Biosimilars Initiative may be considered for individual patients to continue to receive coverage of a reference biologic after the transition period end date. Your prescriber can submit a request and clinical information for review on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Resources
- Guide for Patients
- Guide for Prescribers
- Biosimilars Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions – Patients
- Frequently Asked Questions – Prescribers
- Biosimilar Manufacturer Patient Support Programs
- Reference Biologic and Biosimilar Insulin Chart
Contact Us
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care
Non-Insured Benefits
300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3M9
Phone: 204-786-7141
Toll free: 1-800-297-8099
FAX: 204-786-6634
TTY/TDD Relay Service: 204-774-8618 outside Winnipeg: 711 or 1-800-855-0511
E-mail: pharmacare@gov.mb.ca
