Biosimilars
Biosimilar drugs are highly similar copies of existing biologic drugs (reference biologic drugs). Biologic drugs are made inside living cells, like animal cells, bacteria and yeast. Biologic drugs are used to treat many types of cancer such as breast, gastrointestinal, lung and ovarian.
Health Canada approves and monitors biosimilar drugs to the same standards as their reference biologic drugs. This means you can be sure that they are safe and work in the same way as their reference biologic drugs.
Find resources created for patients by the Pan-Canadian Oncology Biosimilars Initiative. You will also find links to other organizations that provide information on biosimilars.
Biosimilars – What You Need to Know - Learn more about biosimilars, their safety and effectiveness, and how they are different from generic drugs.
Video: What's Health Canada Saying about Biosimilars? - Watch this educational video on biosimilars made by the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation.