ALL PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES NOW FUND TRIKAFTA FOR SIX AND UP
TORONTO, September 13, 2022 – Effective today, all provinces, territories and federal drug funding programs across Canada are funding the revolutionary cystic fibrosis drug Trikafta for children and adults aged six and older with at least one F508del gene mutation. British Columbia is the last Canadian jurisdiction to expand access to the younger group, with funding coming into effect today. All public payers have expanded access to Trikafta according to the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technology in Health (CADTH)'s 2022 recommendation.
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 life changing news for many in our Canadian cystic fibrosis community,” said Kelly Grover, President and CEO, Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “We are pleased to see that every jurisdiction that originally implemented restrictive access criterion for Trikafta around lung function, has removed that criterion with the expanded access for the six and older age group. Many more people who need the drug will now be able to access it.”
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, and aligns more closely with the Consensus Guideline developed by Canadian cystic fibrosis physicians by eliminating a restrictive start criterion of a lung function measurement of 90% or less.
“Our 10-year old son Oliver has struggled with cystic fibrosis his entire life. It has been incredibly frustrating knowing that this drug was out there and could potentially help Oliver, but was out of reach for so long. We are relieved that British Columbia has expanded access for those aged six and older, and we are thrilled for what this means for Oliver’s future" - Nelson Narciso, CF parent and advocate.
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Members of the community and supporters are invited to join Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s #TrikaftaToday briefing on Wednesday, September 14 at 1pm ET to discuss the most recent updates related to accessing Trikafta in Canada. Follow this link to register for the briefing.
About cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting 4,332 Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure. Of the Canadians with cystic fibrosis who died in the past five years, half were under the age of 37. Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, degenerative multi-system disease that affects mainly the lungs and digestive system. In the lungs, where the effects are most devastating, a build-up of thick mucus causes severe respiratory problems. Mucus and protein also build up in the digestive tract, making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. In addition to the physical effects of the disease, mental health concerns are emerging; anxiety and depression are common among this population. Double lung transplants are the final option for patients with end-stage disease; most fatalities of people with CF are due to lung disease.
About Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada has dramatically changed the cystic fibrosis story. We have advanced research and care that has more than doubled life expectancy. Since being founded by parents in 1960, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has grown into a leading organization with a central role engaging people living with cystic fibrosis, parents and caregivers, volunteers, researchers and healthcare professionals, government and donors. We work together to change lives for the 4,332 Canadian children and adults living with cystic fibrosis through treatments, research, information and support. Despite our remarkable progress together, we are not yet done. Not when half of the Canadians with cystic fibrosis who died in the past three years were under the age of 34. We will keep pushing, keep going further until all people with cystic fibrosis can and do experience everything life has to offer —and enjoy everything life has to offer. Learn more at cysticfibrosis.ca.
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For more information:
Tel: (905) 317-5529
Email: nyoung@cysticfibrosis.ca
Nicole Young, Director, Marketing and Communications
