Sandoz’s Erelzi available for multiple inflammatory disease treatment in Canada

Novartis division Sandoz has made its Erelzi (etanercept) therapy available for the treatment of multiple inflammatory diseases for patients in Canada.

In April this year, Sandoz was granted a Notice of Compliance from Health Canada for Erelzi to treat moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults with or without methotrexate, and reduce signs and symptoms of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

The treatment is currently the only biosimilar approved for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in patients aged between four and 17 who have had an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Sandoz Canada president and general manager Michel Robidoux said: "Biologics have revolutionised the treatment and prevention of many disabling and life-threatening diseases.

"Launching Erelzi is another concrete example of how Sandoz is making access happen by offering high-quality medicines at a more affordable price, which will deliver important savings to the healthcare system."

"However, they are contributing to the rising costs of healthcare, and this may restrict access to these important medicines.

"Unfortunately, as it stands today, not all Canadians living with the debilitating disease have the same access to biologics. There is a growing population that has a relatively high prevalence of immunological diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Erelzi is available in a pre-filled syringe (PFS) and a pre-filled pen (PFP), SensoReady, which has an ergonomic device for patients with limited dexterity.

SensoReady is currently available in 25mg and 50mg PFS, and is the only etanercept available in a 25mg PFS.