New Drugs for Cystic Fibrosis and HIV Available to Manitobans – Winnipeg | The Canadian News

The Manitoba government is adding new drugs to the provincial formulary, making Trikafta for cystic fibrosis (CF) and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) available to those who qualify.

Trikafta is a triple combination drug that not only treats symptoms, but also targets the basic defect of specific genetic mutations that cause CF, the province said in a statement Friday.

PrEP is an antiretroviral drug that is taken daily to prevent HIV from spreading in a person’s body and reduces the risk of contracting the virus, according to the province.

“Our government is committed to ensuring that Manitobans have access to high-quality transformative medicines that help control their disease and greatly improve their quality of life,” Manitoba Prime Minister Kelvin Goertzen said in the statement. .

“While COVID-19 remains the greatest challenge of our time, we are also focused on addressing the many other health challenges Manitobans face and providing better access to care and lessening the financial burden for patients to be able to do. focus on your physical and mental well-being. be.”

The move means that patients can access both Trikafta and PrEP drugs for HIV if they meet provincial eligibility criteria and are eligible for pharmaceutical care or receive health coverage from Employment and Income Assistance, Health Minister Audrey Gordon said.

“Trikafta is the greatest innovation in cystic fibrosis history and has the power to transform the lives of thousands of Canadians,” said Kelly Grover, president and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, in the province statement.

“The CF community in Manitoba has long fought to get this drug into their hands. Access to Trikafta will mean longer and healthier lives for many people, and the ability to plan for a future that many feared they would not live to see.

The province says doctors will need online registration to provide PrEP.

Michael Payne, executive director of the Nine Circles Community Health Center, said the cost of treating a person with HIV is “much higher” than the cost of preventing the virus with PrEP.

“Manitoba has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in Canada and our epidemiology clearly shows that the communities most at risk are also the least likely to be able to afford the cost of PrEP,” Payne said in the statement from the Province.

“Putting PrEP on the formulary is a game changer and will certainly improve opportunities for HIV prevention.”