Starting August 1, cystic fibrosis (CF) drug coverage Trikafta will be available to CF patients who meet medical criteria six years of age and older in Saskatchewan.
Health Minister Paul Merriman said the government was “pleased” to extend coverage for the drug.
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“We know that Trikafta has been shown to improve patients’ quality of life, and this expanded coverage will help children with CF and their families for years to come,” Merriman said in a press release.
Trikafta works by targeting specific genetic mutations that cause CF. The mutation affects about 90 percent of CF patients.
The drug was approved for the treatment of children ages six to 11 in April by Health Canada.
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Saskatchewan’s coverage for CF patients age 12 and older came into effect on October 1, 2021.
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Kelly Grover, president and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, said expanding coverage for the drug “will change the trajectory of the disease and the future for many children in Saskatchewan” who have CF.
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“Saskatchewan was one of the first provinces to fund the drug for those 12 and older last year and today continued to recognize the extraordinary, transformative value of Trikafta by expanding Trikafta’s coverage to include children ages six to 11. Grover said.
“We celebrate this news together with our CF community in Saskatchewan who worked tirelessly for this day.”
Trikafta costs about $300,000 per patient per year.
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The government encourages patients with CF or parents and guardians of children with CF who think Trikafta therapy may help them to talk to their doctor.
According to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Registry, there are more than 110 CF patients in Saskatchewan.
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