The Ontario government is expanding access to a treatment option for patients with cystic fibrosis.
The Health Ministry said it is expanding coverage of Trikafta, a treatment for cystic fibrosis, to include all residents over the age of six through a publicly funded drug program.
According to the government, cystic fibrosis is a “rare and progressive genetic disease” that causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract and other areas of the body.
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The disease causes persistent lung infections and loss of lung function.
“The province is also changing eligibility criteria to remove the measurement of patients’ lung function in order to further reduce barriers for cystic fibrosis patients to access life-changing treatments,” read a statement. of press.
Previously, the Health Ministry said the treatment was only available to those over 12 years of age.
“Following new recommendations from the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technology in Health (CADTH), Ontario is now the first province to expand access to youth ages six to 11,” the statement read.
According to the government, one in 3,600 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis. About 1,500 Ontarians have the disease.
The ministry said eligible patients and their families should contact their healthcare providers to determine if Trikafta is “the right treatment option” for them.
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the expanded coverage “will ensure that more children with cystic fibrosis can benefit sooner from this innovative, life-changing treatment.”
“Giving patients more treatment options is another step in our government’s work to build a stronger health care system for all Ontarians,” Jones said in a statement.
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Kelly Grover, president and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, said Friday’s news “will change the trajectory of the disease and the future of many children and adults in Ontario living with cystic fibrosis.”
“Ontario was one of the first provinces to fund the drug for those 12 and older last year, and today it continues to recognize the extraordinary and transformative value of Trikafta, by expanding Trikafta coverage to include children ages six to 11. Grover said.
“We are pleased to see that the restrictive start criteria has also been removed, allowing more people to access the medicine. We celebrate this news with our CF community in Ontario, who have worked tirelessly for this day.”
According to the Ministry of Health, at list prices, Trikafta costs about $300,000 a year per patient.
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