Medical industry advocates are urging the Ontario government to offer cheaper versions of certain prescription medications and save an estimated $147-million a year by enacting a policy more than 2½ years in the making.
“Implementing a switching policy in Ontario is a responsible use of taxpayer dollars. It would contribute to a more sustainable drug plan and enable the government to fund other priorities while continuing to provide high-quality patient care,” Mr. Keon said at a press conference Tuesday. Biologics, unlike chemical pills, are drugs manufactured in living organisms and are more expensive. Three of the top five prescription drugs in terms of public spending in Canada are biologics. Biosimilars, like generic drugs, are near-copies of biologics whose patents have expired., including Remicade, which is common to treat several autoimmune disorders, including Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.