Ontario Drug Policy Research Network

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network The ODPRN is a network of researchers who provide timely, high quality, drug policy research

The ODPRN has the capacity to conduct research to determine the real-work drug utilization, safety, effectiveness, and costs of drugs on Ontario, and have development partnerships that allow us to engage in cross-provincial comparisons of drug safety and utilization

The ODPRN is comprised of four units:
1. Rapid Response Unit (RRU), whose primary function is to work with policy-makers to efficiently respond to research questons using linked population-level information

2. Stakeholder Advisory Panel (SAP), which collaborates with the RRU in fulfilling policy-maker research requests, as well as addressing their own research questions through traditional academic research

3. The Formulary Modernization Unit (FMU), whose function is to synthesize effectiveness, safety, contextual and econmic data on specific drug classes to generate policy recommendations for updating Ontario's drug formulary

4. The Knowledge Translation Unit (KTU), which disseminates the ODPRN's research findings to target knowledge users and stakeholders, including policy-makers, researchers, clinicians and the public

Today, on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the ODPRN recognizes and celebrates the incredible contri...
02/11/2026

Today, on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the ODPRN recognizes and celebrates the incredible contributions of women on our team and across the research and scientific community. 👩‍🔬

Women play a vital role in advancing drug policy, strengthening healthcare systems, and improving health outcomes through evidence-informed research. At the ODPRN, we are proud to work alongside and learn from women whose leadership, innovation, and dedication help shape safer and more effective medication use across Ontario and beyond.

We also recognize the importance of supporting and inspiring the next generation of women and girls in science. Creating inclusive spaces and opportunities in research helps ensure diverse perspectives are reflected in evidence that informs healthcare decision-making.

https://www.womeninscienceday.org/

Join women experts, youth, and professionals in dialogues and discussion to put Science, Technology, and Innovation at the heart of sustainable development programs.

02/11/2026
02/09/2026

Can we modernize healthcare and save $65 million while maintaining quality care? 🏥💡

In Ontario, a small group of medications called biologics makes up a large portion of our drug spending. To help make our healthcare system more sustainable, the province introduced a "biosimilar switch policy" in March 2023 and that’s what we set out to study.

The Impact at a Glance:
📈 Uptake: Biosimilar use jumped from less than 20% to 96.5% across all clinical indications and drugs that were eligible.
💰 Savings: This shift saved the province $65.2 million in just over a year.

But this wasn’t just about the numbers. It was about doing it the right way.

“Before March 2023, biosimilar uptake varied widely, meaning we weren’t realizing potential system-level savings,” says Dr. Tara Gomes, scientist and co-author of the study. “An important finding of our study was that, beyond lower costs, the policy also preserved flexibility for the small but important group of patients who required medical exemptions. That balance between cost-savings and patient-centredness is exactly what good policy should achieve.”

By improving policy while supporting clinicians and keeping the focus on patient needs through medical exemptions, Ontario is proving we can have a more efficient healthcare system that still puts people first.

📄Read the additional Research Minute: https://odprn.ca/research/publications/01-2026-impact-of-biosimilar-switching-among-odb-recipients/

🔗Read full the study: https://www.ices.on.ca/publications/journal-articles/measuring-the-impact-of-the-substitution-of-innovator-biologics-with-biosimilars-on-uptake-and-costs-among-ontario-public-drug-benefit-recipients/

As we close out the year, we’re sharing our latest quarterly newsletter—a year in review of ODPRN’s work and the collabo...
12/23/2025

As we close out the year, we’re sharing our latest quarterly newsletter—a year in review of ODPRN’s work and the collaborations that made it possible. Thank you to our community for your continued engagement and commitment to evidence-informed policy and practice.

https://mailchi.mp/9b99aac00060/odprn-quarterly-newsletter-dec-2025

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