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Oncology Biosimilars Utilization Data

Since the implementation of the first oncology biosimilar in Ontario in 2019, we have been monitoring the use and uptake of biosimilars in comparison with their reference biologic drugs.

Funding biosimilars for people who are just starting treatment has led to substantial savings for the healthcare system. In fiscal years 2020/2021, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, Ontario saved an estimated $53 million, $44 million, and $53 million, respectively. These savings mean the province can provide patients and health care providers with more treatment options.

We report utilization data semi-annually.

Bevacizumab

Number of unique patients treated with bevacizumab (all New Drug Funding Program funded indications)
Month / Year	Number treated with reference biologic	Number treated with a biosimilar
Oct 19	628	127
Jan 20	466	335
Apr 20	278	397
Jul 20	256	470
Oct 20	211	551
Jan 21	165	602
Apr 21	144	647
Jul 21	104	662
Oct 21	84	645
Jan 22	67	623
Apr 22	44	638
Jul 22	33	695
Oct 22	32	761
Jan 23	31	811
Apr 23	24	744

The line graph shows the number of people treated with the bevacizumab biosimilar versus the reference biologic, from October 2019 to January 2023. The use of the reference biologic decreased over time, while the use of biosimilars increased. Biosimilar utilization exceeds that of the reference biologic as of February 2020. In January 2023, 810 people received a biosimilar and 33 people received the biologic. See data table for monthly data.

Trastuzumab

Number of unique patients treated with trastuzumab (all New Drug Funding Program funded indications)
Month / Year	Number treated with reference biologic	Number treated with a biosimilar
Oct 19	2024	0
Jan 20	1912	169
Apr 20	1481	492
July 20	1275	754
Oct 20	1015	928
Jan 21	836	1111
Apr 21	844	1148
Jul 21	856	1159
Oct 21	868	1173
Jan 22	852	1221
Apr 22	850	1278
Jul 22	819	1290
Oct 22	797	1331
Jan 23	697	1451
Apr 23	552	1473

The line graph shows the number of people treated with the trastuzumab biosimilar versus the reference biologic, from October 2019 to January 2023. The use of the reference biologic decreased over time, while the use of biosimilars increased. Biosimilars utilization exceeds that of the reference biologic as of November 2020. In January 2023, 1,430 people received a biosimilar and 697 people received the biologic. See data table for monthly data.

Rituximab

Abbreviations: IV means intravenous; SC means subcutaneous.
Note: The break in the Reference biologic IV line is due to censored small cell count (count less than 6).

Number of unique patients treated with rituximab (all New Drug Funding Program funded indications)
Month / Year	Number treated with a reference biologic IV	Number treated with a reference biologic IV	Number treated with a biosimilar
Apr 20	396	738	*
Jul 20	410	856	29
Oct 20	131	904	329
Jan 21	54	930	370
Apr 21	28	904	384
Jul 21	26	1006	458
Oct 21	21	954	406
Jan 22	12	910	371
Apr 22	8	899	390
Jul 22	*	897	368
Oct 22	0	900	347
Jan 23	0	933	375
Apr 23	0	923	413

Abbreviations: IV means intravenous.
Note: The break in the Reference biologic IV line is due to censored small cell count (count less than 6).
Symbol: * Censored due to small cell count (count less than 6).

Rituximab

The line graph shows the number of people treated with the biosimilar versus the reference biologic IV (intravenous) versus the reference biologic SC (subcutaneous), from April 2020 to January 2023. The use of the reference biologic IV quickly decreased as of July 2020, while the use of biosimilars quickly increased. Biosimilars utilization exceeds that of the reference biologic IV as of September 2020. In January 2023, 376 people received a biosimilar and 0 people received the reference biologic IV. The use of the reference biologic SC remains relatively unchanged over time, with 935 people treated in January 2023. See data table for monthly data.