The government of Ontario announced that it is expanding access to cystic fibrosis treatments.
Cystic fibrosis is a rare and progressive genetic disease that causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract and other parts of the body. It causes persistent lung infections and leads to the loss of lung function.
The province says it has expanded coverage for Trikafta- which is the latest treatment option for cystic fibrosis- to include all Ontarians aged six and over through its publicly-funded drug program.
At list price, Trikafta costs around $300,000 per patient per year.
It also says it is changing the eligibility criteria to remove the measurement of patients’ lung function in hopes it would reduce barriers for cystic fibrosis patients to access treatments.
“Expanding coverage will ensure that more children with cystic fibrosis will be able to benefit from this innovative, life changing treatment sooner,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, in a statement. “Providing patients with more options for treatment is another step in our government’s work to build a stronger health care system for all Ontarians.”
Treatment was previously only available to Ontarians aged 12 and over. The province says it is following new recommendations by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technology in Health.
Ontario is the first province to expand access to youth ages six to 11.
It is estimated that one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis. There is currently no cure.
