Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan to list Trikafta in a historic day for CF in Canada.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
Special CF Canada Bulletin: Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan all announce they will fund Trikafta!
It’s a Trikafta Trifecta!
In breaking news, THREE provinces have today announced they will be funding Trikafta on their public drug plans for eligible people. Ontario announced first, around 10:30 EDT, followed by Alberta and Saskatchewan, in quick succession, around 1pm EDT.
The three provinces are the first to announce the public funding of this life-changing cystic fibrosis drug. Cystic Fibrosis Canada urges all provinces to immediately make Trikafta available to all who can benefit.
When will access start?
Saskatchewan has specified that coverage of the drug will begin on October 1st 2021.
Ontario and Alberta did not specify when their coverage will begin.
Did they mention access criteria?
Not specifically…
As you may know, together with CF clinicians and the CF community, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has been pushing back on restrictive access criteria on Trikafta from CADTH and INESSS that, if followed by provinces, could deny access to 27% of the Health Canada approved population. In particular, the recommended access criteria that requires someone to deteriorate to a 90% FEV1 or less (a measure of lung function) to qualify for access is completely unacceptable. We have been urging provinces not to follow it and instead follow Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s clinician-developed guidelines when building eligibility criteria for Trikafta in their province.
In their news releases today, Alberta and Saskatchewan did not specify their eligibility criteria, and it is not clear whether they intend to follow the CADTH recommendation or whether they will ensure access to Trikafta for all who can benefit from it. Saskatchewan did state that “listing and coverage criteria will be available in the coming days.” We are looking into this and will make information available as soon as possible.
Ontario’s news release states that “Ontario patients aged 12 and up who do not meet the lung function criteria may work with their clinician to apply to the Exceptional Access Program (EAP) to be considered for funding on a case-by-case basis”. Cystic Fibrosis Canada is hopeful that this will mean more access for more people, and we’re investigating to find out more details.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada will not stop going further until everyone across Canada who can benefit from Trikafta has access to it.
Where to find new info for access to Trikafta in AB, ON and SK
As we learn more about listing and coverage criteria in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan you can keep an eye on the following spots for updates:
- The Access to Trikafta by Province page on our website.
- The Advocacy Brief – standard issues will continue on an approximately monthly basis and will include updates from different provinces. Special Bulletins will continue ad hoc for big breaking news.
- Follow your local CF Canada pages on social – see below for suggestions
No One Left Behind
Cystic Fibrosis Canada and the CF community has fought hard for this historic moment and we stand together today excited by what this means for many in our community! For many others, today did not deliver the news they were hoping for and we remain as determined as ever to keep pushing further so all Canadians who can benefit from this drug can access it. #CFcantwait
Likewise, we recognize the people in our community for whom Trikafta and CF modulator drugs don’t work. We are working hard for you too. We’re pushing CF research further to make sure new advancements will continue to bring us closer to a cure for every person living with cystic fibrosis.
And to families who have lost loved ones to cystic fibrosis and for whom this drug has not come soon enough, know you are always in our thoughts.
Join us Live today
We’ll be going live on Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s National Facebook page today at 7pm EDT. Join Kelly Grover, President & CEO, John Wallenburg, Chief Scientific Officer and Kim Steele, Director, Government and Community Relations to share your reactions about today’s news and find out what it means and next steps for access for everyone across Canada.