ASBM Submits Comments to Health Canada on Naming

On January 18, 2018, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada) posted an online questionnaire to seek input from healthcare providers, consumers, and other interested and affected stakeholders on different approaches to the naming of biologic drugs, including biosimilars, in Canada. ASBM submitted comments on February 9th advocating the use of 4-letter suffixes, an approach favored by the WHO and FDA.

The questionnaire was developed collaboratively with Health Canada. Administration of the questionnaire and analysis of responses will be performed by ISMP Canada.

The objective of the consultation was to gain insight into stakeholder views on the practical impacts of different approaches to the naming of biologic drugs and biosimilars throughout the medication-use process, including prescribing, dispensing, and adverse drug reaction reporting.

Results of the consultation will be used to:

  • understand the impact of different approaches to biologic drug naming and the perspectives of healthcare providers, consumers, and other interested and affected stakeholders, and
  • inform Health Canada’s policy decision on a naming convention for biologic drugs.

 The questionnaire suggested three options for consideration:

OPTION 1:

Continue the current Canadian drug identification and naming approach [status quo]

 

OPTION 2:

Use of the brand name with the non-proprietary name to distinguish among biologics [European approach]

 

OPTION 3:

Implement a 4-letter suffix appended to the non-proprietary name

[supported by the FDA, the WHO, and strong majorities of physicians in Canada and worldwide]