Ontario approved coverage for Trikafta, the latest treatment option for cystic fibrosis, for people six years of age or older through its publicly funded drug program. It is estimated that one in 3,600 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis. There is no cure and it is often lethal.
According to Cystic Fibrosis Canada: Trikafta is considered the greatest innovation in the history of cystic fibrosis. It can treat up to 90% of Canadians with cystic fibrosis and address the underlying causes of the disease rather than just managing the symptoms, potentially avoiding the irreversible damage caused by this progressive disease. Health Canada approved it for children ages six to 11 with at least one F508 gene mutation in April 2022 and for those over 12 in June 2021.
The province is also changing eligibility criteria to remove the measure of lung function from patients to further reduce barriers for cystic fibrosis patients to access life-changing treatments.
“Expanding coverage will ensure that more children with cystic fibrosis can benefit more from this innovative and life-changing treatment,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health.
Previously, treatment was only available for ontarians 12 years of age or older.
Following the new recommendations of the Canadian Medicines and Health Technology Agency (CADTH), Ontario is now the first province to expand access for young people aged six to 11.
Eligible patients and their families should contact their healthcare team to help determine if Trikafta is the right treatment option.
“Today’s news will change the trajectory of the disease and the future of many Ontario children and adults living with cystic fibrosis,” said Kelly Grover, President and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis of Canada.
“Last year, Ontario was one of the first provinces to fund the drug for those over 12, and today it has continued to recognize Trikafta’s extraordinary transformative value by expanding Trikafta’s coverage to include children ages six to 11 .
“We are pleased to see that the restrictive start-up criterion has also been removed, allowing more people to access the drug. We are celebrating this news along with our FC community in Ontario, which has worked tirelessly to this day.”