B.C. Pharmacare Non-Medical Switch Policy: The Wrong Decision

Release of Legal/Ethics Review of Switch Policy

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2019 /CNW/ - British Columbia Pharmacare has announced a non-medical switch policy involving biosimilar drugs. The policy will switch patients using certain biologic drugs (Remicade®) to biosimilar versions within a six month timeframe. This will affect approximately 1,700 British Columbians (including children), though this number does not include those in British Columbia currently under compassionate use funded by the manufacturer who will also be affected.

"Crohn's and Colitis Canada understands the fiscal pressure on B.C. Pharmacare, but their non-medical switch policy is missing critical inputs from the patient and healthcare practitioner communities ? and considering that they did not consult patient organizations, this is not surprising. The gap between this policy and patients' needs and concerns in particular is massive," says Mina Mawani, President and CEO of Crohn's and Colitis Canada. "Our position, based on extensive review and consultation, is that a non-medical switch is not in the best interest of patients ? this should be a decision made by a physician and patient together. Minister Dix's cavalier statement that "there is reluctance in change" vastly understates patient and caregiver feedback. It is unfortunate that B.C. Pharmacare's policy is not patient-centred and rather focused on questionable savings."

Crohn's and Colitis Canada questions the B.C. Pharmacare decision when other viable options are available that do not affect patients currently well-managed on biologic treatment. "Cost savings do not have to be on the backs of vulnerable patients," says Ms. Mawani. "Some payers have found a way to both promote the uptake of biosimilars and also access savings from updated pricing of biologic treatment. The precedent has been set: this is patient-centred care ? a non-medical switch is not necessary for the purpose of sustainability of healthcare in Canada."

Crohn's and Colitis Canada released their position on biosimilar drugs and in particular on non-medical switch policy together with a cross-Canada survey of healthcare providers, patients and caregivers on September 5, 2019. Released today is a legal/ethics review that assesses challenges in a Canadian legal, bioethical and policy context to further support the Crohn's and Colitis Canada position. World renowned leader in health law, ethics and science policy Dr. Tim Caulfield, an author of the paper says "The move from biologics to biosimilars can create real ethical and legal challenges for healthcare providers. Physicians have a legal and ethical obligation to put the interests of the patient first."

Canada has one of the highest rates of IBD in the world. Today, more than 33,000 British Columbians have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and this number is projected to climb significantly. Crohn's and Colitis Canada remains optimistic that a non-medical switch policy in British Columbia can be reconsidered to put patients' needs first. "We are hopeful that our evidence-informed position and the example from other payers will influence policy in British Columbia and remind healthcare decision makers of the importance of patient input," says Ms. Mawani. "Our focus is on the patient ? their health and well-being is our priority."

Resources:

• Updated Crohn's and Colitis Canada Biosimilar Position Statement
• Patient and Healthcare Provider Input: Non-Medical Biosimilar Switch Policy for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Comprehensive Report
• Summary and Key Findings
• Manulife Revised Product Listing Agreement
• Sunlife Biosimilar Coverage for Plan Members
• The Law and Ethics of Switching from Biologic to Biosimilar in Canada
• Abstract and Report

ABOUT CROHN'S AND COLITIS CANADA
Crohn's and Colitis Canada is the only national, volunteer-based charity focused on finding the cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of everyone impacted by these diseases. We are the world's second largest health charity funder of Crohn's and colitis research, and our patient programs and advocacy efforts support the people affected by these chronic autoimmune diseases, which cause the body to attack healthy tissue, leading to the inflammation of all or part of the gastrointestinal tract. Visit crohnsandcolitis.ca for more information.

SOURCE Crohn's and Colitis Canada