THE YUKON AND NUNAVUT EXPAND ACCESS TO TRIKAFTA, ENSURE LIFE CHANGING DRUG IS ACCESSIBLE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT
TORONTO, August 19, 2022 – Nunavut and Yukon have expanded access to the revolutionary cystic fibrosis (CF) drug, Trikafta. These are the latest Canadian jurisdictions to fund the drug for children and adults aged six and older with at least one F508del gene mutation. Trikafta is available through Nunavut’s Extended Health Benefits program and is now listed on Yukon’s Drug Formulary. With the exception of British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, all other public payers, have previously announced expanded access to Trikafta. Cystic Fibrosis Canada urges British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador to follow CADTH's recent recommendation and to immediately fund Trikafta for all who can benefit.
Trikafta is considered the single greatest innovation in the history of cystic fibrosis. It can treat up to 90% of Canadians with cystic fibrosis and addresses the underlying causes of the disease instead of just managing the symptoms, potentially preventing irreversible damage caused by this progressive disease.
“This is a day that our community has fought long and hard for. Today’s news will change the trajectory of the disease, and the future, for many children and adults in Yukon and Nunavut who live with cystic fibrosis,” said Dr. John Wallenburg, Chief Scientific Officer, Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “Now, we call on British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador to move swiftly to cover this drug for those aged six and older under CADTH’s new guidance.”
Health Canada approved Trikafta for use in the six to 11 age group in April 2022 and on July 6, 2022, CADTH issued a positive recommendation to fund the drug. This new recommendation from CADTH supersedes the recommendation issued in 2021 for the 12 and older age group, which included a recommendation to implement a restrictive start criterion of a lung function measurement of 90% or less.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada now calls on British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador to quickly fund Trikafta under their respective drug programs using CADTH’s new recommendation and Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s clinician-developed guidelines for access and continuation. This drug should be accessible for all who could benefit from it.
For CF advocacy news, subscribe to Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s advocacy e-newsletter "The Advocacy Brief".
Members of the community and supporters are invited to join Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s #TrikaftaToday briefing on Wednesday, August 24 at 1 pm ET to discuss the most recent updates related to accessing Trikafta in Canada. Follow this link to register for the briefing.
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For more information:
Tel: (905)-317-5529
Email: nyoung@cysticfibrosis.ca
Nicole Young, Director, Marketing and Communications
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