Health Minister Paul Merriman said the government was “pleased” to extend coverage for the drug.
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“We know that Tricafta 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 news release. Trikafta works by targeting specific genetic mutations that cause CF. The mutation affects about 90 percent of cystic fibrosis patients. The drug was approved to treat children aged six to 11 in April by Health Canada. Story continues below ad Saskatchewan’s coverage for CF patients 12 years of age and older came into effect on October 1, 2021. 2:50 Health Matters: New ‘miracle’ drug Trikafta approved for cystic fibrosis in Canada Health Matters: New ‘miracle’ drug Trikafta approved for cystic fibrosis in Canada – June 21, 2021 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. Trending Stories
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“Saskatchewan was one of the first provinces to fund the drug for people age 12 and older last year, and today it continued to recognize the extraordinary, transformative value of Trikafta by expanding Trikafta coverage to include children ages six to 11. Grover said. “We celebrate this news with our CF community in Saskatchewan, who have worked tirelessly for this day.” Trikafta costs about $300,000 per patient per year. Story continues below ad
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The government is encouraging cystic fibrosis patients or parents and carers of children with CF who think that treatment with Tricafta might help them to talk to their doctor. According to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Registry, there are more than 110 CF patients in Saskatchewan. © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
