British Columbia is changing the type of drugs funded by its prescription drug program by expanding the use of so-called biosimilar drugs to treat diabetes, arthritis and Crohn's disease. Health Minister Adrian Dix said it's shifting, in part, to biosimilar drugs, which are new versions of existing medications that cost anywhere from 25 per cent to 50 per cent less. The minister said there will be a six-month transition period to the new drugs and then PharmaCare will no longer provide coverage for the original drugs. spent $125 million on three of the drugs that treat chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and Crohn's disease. is the first jurisdiction in Canada to support the increased use of biosimilar drugs, which are safe and effective.

Source: CBC News May 27, 2019 18:33 UTC