Don’t you agree that your treatment decisions should be based on patient/doctor choice?
Policy changes by governments across Canada to switch patients well-managed on a biologic to a biosimilar for non-medical reasons could affect thousands of Canadians with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Don’t you agree that this should be a decision made between patients and their doctors?
Tell your provincial government that you think patients shouldn’t be switched from their biologic to a biosimilar for non-medical reasons!
Join thousands of Canadians across the country who are speaking out for patient and doctor choice. Use the form below to send a letter to your local MPP/MLA and Minister of Health.
* Indicates a required field. Information collected is used only to identify your riding and connect you to your local representatives. It is stored securely and will not be shared with any third parties in compliance with the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). Please ensure your browser and device are up-to-date if you experience issues with sending the letter.
Ontario (Patients)
Ontario (Concerned Citizens)
Quebec
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia (Patients)
Nova Scotia (Concerned Citizens)
What are biologics and biosimilars?
Biologics are drugs produced from living organisms. In the context of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), biologics are designed to target and block the cells responsible for inflammation. As patents expire on innovator biologics, drug manufacturers are developing new drugs based on existing biologics. These new drugs are called biosimilars. Biosimilars are not identical to their innovator biologic, though they are highly similar including its effectiveness and safety profile.
Why does this matter?
Governments across Canada are considering a non-medical switch policy that will mandate patients using a certain biologic drug to switch to biosimilar versions. British Columbia Pharmacare has already announced their policy.
We know that for Canadians with Crohn’s or colitis, there is nothing more important than achieving and preserving stable remission. In our July 2019 survey, 800 patients and caregivers took the time to explain the arduous, painful and expensive journey they have been on to reach remission. They expressed true fear and dismay at having someone, who is not their doctor, decide their treatment.
Governments need to listen to you, the people such policy will affect.
We need your help to make sure that government listens to what matters: your health.
Additional Resources:
Crohn’s & Colitis Canada Position Statement
Supporting Resources
What can I do to help?
Do you believe that people living with inflammatory bowel disease and their doctors should be able to choose their treatment? Do you believe that patients who are well-managed on a biologic drug should not be switched to a biosimilar for non-medical reasons? If so, please take a moment to voice your opinion to your local government representative. Together, we can ensure policymakers keep the best interests of people with Crohn’s and colitis in mind as they determine policy in your province.
Tell your provincial government that you think patients shouldn’t be switched from their biologic to a biosimilar for non-medical reasons!
Your doctor, through the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, does not support this switch either. Join thousands of Canadians across the country who are speaking out for patient and doctor choice. Use the form below to send a letter to your local MPP/MLA and Minister of Health.
* Indicates a required field. Information collected is used only to identify your riding and connect you to your local representatives. It is stored securely and will not be shared with any third parties in compliance with the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). Please ensure your browser and device are up-to-date if you experience issues with sending the letter.