Biosimilars Canada Announces Patient Support Program Platform

TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Biosimilars Canada, the national association representing Canada's biosimilar medicines industry, today announced that Innomar Strategies, Canada's leading specialty pharmaceuticals service provider has been selected as the preferred provider for the Biosimilars Canada Patient Support Program (PSP) platform.

The platform will provide a common suite of PSP services for Biosimilars Canada members going forward that can be customized to meet the individual needs of the therapy, the biosimilar sponsor and payers.

The Biosimilars Canada Patient Support Program platform will create a seamless and simple process for patients and physicians, without any compromise to the quality of services provided to patients.

"Canada is recognized internationally as having high barriers to market entry for sponsors of biosimilar medicines, in part because many products administered in hospitals in other jurisdictions are administered in private clinics in Canada and require extensive services to support the patient in their journey," said Jim Keon, President of Biosimilars Canada. "The Biosimilars Canada PSP platform will be an important solution in ensuring biosimilar sponsors can provide the high-quality patient support services required by payers, physicians and patients while providing value to the Canadian health-care system."

Biosimilars Canada expects that the use of biosimilar medicines will increase at a more rapid pace in 2019 and beyond as new biosimilars are launched and benefit designs and coverage policies continue to evolve to optimize the use of biosimilar treatments.

"The availability of biosimilar medicines in Canada helps to enhance competition, improve access to biologic medicines, and contribute to the financial sustainability of healthcare systems," said Michel Robidoux, Chair of Biosimilars Canada and President/General Manager of Sandoz Canada.

"Innomar is focused on supporting patients who are on specialty medications across Canada, and is very excited to be selected by Biosimilars Canada as their Patient Support Program provider for this platform," said Kevin West, Vice President, Innomar Strategies. "As more biosimilars come into the market, patients will need services built around these products to support them with their illness.  By utilizing a centralized Patient Support Program model, healthcare providers, manufacturers and patients will experience efficiencies, while still having a best-in-class experience."

The Biosimilars Canada PSP platform will be launched in 2019.

About Biosimilars Canada
Biosimilars Canada is the national association representing the biosimilar medicines industry in Canada. Its member companies are at the forefront of the global development and marketing of biosimilar medicines. Biosimilar medicines are approved by Health Canada as being as safe and efficacious as their reference biologic drugs, and are developed to the same quality standards. Biosimilar medicines present a significant opportunity to embrace cutting-edge therapies while addressing the cost-effectiveness demands on healthcare systems in Canada. Biosimilars Canada is a division of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association. Visit us at www.biosimilarscanada.ca.

About Innomar Strategies
Innomar Strategies, a part of AmerisourceBergen, is the leading patient support provider in the Canadian specialty biopharmaceutical market. We deliver end-to-end commercialization solutions to improve product access, increase supply chain efficiency and enhance patient care. Strategic consulting, patient support programs, nursing and clinical services, and specialty pharmacy and logistics are just a few of our key areas of specialization. We partner closely with manufacturers, healthcare providers, pharmacies and payers to ensure patients have consistent and reliable access to specialty medication. With our integrated approach and commitment to best-in-class care, Innomar Strategies helps navigate the patient journey to optimize health outcomes. Visit us at www.innomar-strategies.com.

SOURCE Biosimilars Canada

Jeff Connell, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA), Tel: [phone], Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Lauren Esposito, Director of External Communications, AmerisourceBergen, 610.576.3842, [email protected]