Starting from 1 April 2024, enoxaparin products can be substituted at a pharmacy with a more affordable alternative

Substitution of biological medicinal products in pharmacies will start gradually on 1 April 2024. The first medicines eligible for substitution are enoxaparin products, which are used to treat and prevent venous thromboembolism. 

The substitution can be made at a pharmacy for a similar, more affordable medicine. A biosimilar is a medicine that is similar to the original biological medicine, and as effective and safe. It contains the same active substance as the original biological medicine. 

Since 2017, physicians have had a statutory obligation to prescribe the most affordable biological medicine suitable for the patient's care. Prescriptions for biological medicines are only valid for one year at a time. Biological medicinal products for patients under the age of 18 will not be substituted at pharmacies. 

Fimea defines substitutable biological medicines four times a year. The administration device of the original biological medicine might operate differently from that of the biosimilar. However, the administration devices of substitutable medicines are so similar that the substitution can be carried out safely after advice from the pharmaceutical personnel of the pharmacy. 

The FimeaWeb medicine search can be used to check what medicines are biological medicinal products. 

Pharmacies provide guidance on the use of administration devices. Patients are also encouraged to discuss matters related to pharmacotherapy with the attending physician.

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FimeaWeb medicine search 

Substitution of biological medicines 

Fimea press release 18 January 2024: Pharmacies are soon allowed to substitute a biological medicine with a more affordable alternative 

Fimea online news article 26 February 2024 (in Finnish): A recording of the webinar on the substitution of biological medicinal products for pharmacies on 6 February 2024 has been released 

National Pharmacotherapy Day webinar 14 March 2024: Every day is Medicines Day (presented by the SuPer Union). To watch the webinar, please go to

• Biological medicines and their automatic substitution, Vesa Mustalammi, Senior Medical Officer, Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea (at 14:05, jump to 01:05:52 in the recording)
• The impact of the automatic substitution of biological medicines on patients and society, Kati Sarnola, Senior Researcher, Kela, Research Unit (at 14:25, jump to 1:26:13 in the recording)