Canada – Pfizer Canada is pleased to announce that IXIFI® (infliximab for injection) will be available in Canada as of April 1. IXIFI® is a biosimilar to Remicade® (infliximab.) IXIFI® was approved by Health Canada in December 2021 for all eligible indications of the reference product, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease (in adults and pediatric patients 9 years and older), fistulising Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis (in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older), psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.
“Pfizer has been committed to patients on infliximab for almost a decade and continues to be a leader in the innovative and biosimilar space in Canada,” says Frédéric Lavoie, Leader, Specialty Care, Pfizer Canada. “Pfizer is proud to bring IXIFI to Canadians with inflammatory diseases and to continue to offer them an extensive patient support program designed to help them navigate their care journey.”
“Biosimilars are designed to be highly similar to their reference products and the availability of IXIFI in Canada is a welcomed addition for us and our patients with inflammatory diseases,” said Dr. Vipul Jairath, gastroenterologist at London Health Sciences Centre, and professor of medicine at Western University. “Biosimilars offer significantly lower costs compared to original biologic medicines, resulting in substantial cost savings for health care systems. However, it is important for patients to consult with their healthcare providers before making any medication changes, to ensure a smooth transition and continued effective treatment.”