This doesn’t sound right. Tell me more.
A biosimilar is similar—but not identical to the innovator biologic drug. But that doesn’t mean our bodies react the same way to it.
While biosimilar medication is a safe and effective treatment, switching from the innovator biologic to its biosimilar may lead to disruptions and challenges for about 15% of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—and that’s not a risk we want to take when it comes to our health.
In response to this planned switch, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada worked with gastroenterologists from across Canada and people with Crohn's and colitis to develop the Non-Medical Switch Decision Matrix. This matrix protects the high-risk groups and supports decreasing healthcare costs.
Forcing high-risk patients on successful treatment regimens to change their medication is a risk that our health system cannot afford. Even if you are not on a public plan or biologic, this is an issue that may affect you in the future.
You have the power to influence the decision makers. And it starts with convincing the Ontario government to adopt the Decision Matrix.