Manitoba Government Advocacy Helps Expand Access to Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treatment

The following news release was issued by the Government of Manitoba.

October 28, 2026

The Manitoba government is welcoming a new national recommendation from Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA) that means Manitobans living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) will now be able to apply for coverage for drug treatment, the move comes after a review requested by Manitoba on behalf of patients and families, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today.

“When Manitobans living with spinal muscular atrophy and their families came forward asking for access to treatment, we listened and we took action,” said Asagwara. “We advocated for a national review because we knew these patients deserved to have their voices heard and the evidence reconsidered. That advocacy has helped bring about an important change and we’re committed to making sure it translates into better access to care.”

SMA is a rare genetic disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and loss of motor function. Maintaining the ability to work, communicate and participate in everyday life can make a significant difference to the independence and quality of life for people living with the disease.

“The CDA’s decision to expand access to these medications is a life-changing moment for me, my family and the SMA community,” said Jeremy Bray, SMA patient advocate. “This decision will allow people like me the opportunity to live fulfilling, healthy and productive lives for longer by accessing treatments which have the best chance of stopping or reversing the progression of this disease. I’d like to thank my family, friends and community for their support, the many public officials who took the time to understand this issue and help where they could, and Cure SMA Canada for their tireless advocacy for SMA patients across the country.”

Manitoba follows national drug coverage recommendations that previously restricted eligibility for publicly funded treatment with Evrysdi (risdiplam) and Spinraza (nusinersen). After hearing directly from patients and families, the Manitoba government asked CDA to review the evidence again and reconsider restrictions that limited access to treatment.

CDA has now issued draft recommendations supporting expanded public coverage for both treatments to include people who were previously excluded from the CDA reimbursement recommendation. Patients would still need to meet clinical requirements and be assessed by a specialist.

The Manitoba government is currently reviewing requests from adults who were previously ineligible and assessing them against the new recommended criteria while work continues to expand provincial coverage, the minister noted.

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For more information:

Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: [email protected] or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: [email protected].
Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: [email protected].