Denosumab Biosimilars | Medications

➨ Are you currently on Prolia®?

  • If so, please continue reading for some important updates!
  • Prolia® is a brand name of a medication called denosumab that you are on to keep you bones strong and help decrease your fracture risk. A biosimilar brand of denosumab named Jubbonti® has been approved for use in Canada this year.

➨ What does biosimilar mean?

  • Jubbonti® and Prolia® are biosimilar - they are both denosumab. Biosimilar medications are medications that are highly similar to a medication that has already been approved for use by Health Canada. There are no significant differences in effectiveness nor safety between biosimilar products. Jubbonti® is dosed and given the same way as Prolia® - typically 60 mg injected under the skin (subcutaneously) every 6 months.
  • **The approval of Jubbonti® was authorized only after thoroughly studying and comparing Jubbonti® to Prolia®. Jubbonti® was found to have similar quality, efficacy, and safety as Prolia®.**

➨ Why the change?

  • Jubbonti® is similarly effective and safe as Prolia®; however, it costs significantly less. As such, many patients who are currently on Prolia® will be transitioned to Jubbonti® per provincial and private drug coverage plan guidance.

➨ What does this mean for me?

  • In order for you to remain on denosumab, you may need to change from Prolia® to Jubbonti®.
    • If you are starting denosumab after November 1, 2024: Effective November 1, 2024, all patients starting on denosumab for the first time will only be assessed for coverage of Jubbonti®, and Prolia® will not be covered by the Alberta Government sponsored medication plans.
    • If you are already on Prolia®: Guidance from Alberta Blue Cross states that patients currently on Prolia® need to switch to Jubbonti® prior to May 1, 2025. After this time, Prolia® will no longer be covered at all by drug plans sponsored by the Alberta Government (such as the Alberta Blue Cross Seniors Drug Plan). During this switching period between November 1, 2024, to May 1, 2025, Prolia® will remain covered so that patients have enough time and notice to obtain new prescriptions for Jubbonti®.

➨ I was on Prolia® - what do I do now?

  • You will need a new prescription for Jubbonti® before May 1, 2025. This can be obtained from a prescriber such as you family doctor or community pharmacist. If you are a patient of our clinic, we may be able to provide you with a prescription for Jubbonti®.