According to Cystic Fibrosis Canada: Trikafta is considered the single greatest innovation in the history of cystic fibrosis. It can cure up to 90% of Canadians with cystic fibrosis and treats the underlying causes of the disease rather than just managing the symptoms, preventing potentially irreversible damage caused by this progressive disease. Health Canada approved it for children aged six to 11 with at least one F508del gene mutation in April 2022 and for children over 12 in June 2021. The province is also changing eligibility criteria to remove the measurement of patients’ lung function to further reduce barriers for cystic fibrosis patients to access life-changing treatments. “Expanding coverage will ensure more children with cystic fibrosis can benefit from this innovative, life-changing treatment sooner,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy First Minister and Minister for Health. Previously, the treatment was only available to Ontarians aged 12 and over. Following new recommendations from the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), Ontario is now the first province to expand access to youth ages six to 11. Eligible patients and their families should consult their healthcare team to help them determine whether Tricafta is the right treatment option. “Today’s news will change the trajectory of the disease and the future for many children and adults in Ontario living with cystic fibrosis,” said Kelly Grover, President and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “Ontario was one of the first provinces to fund the drug for people aged 12 and over last year, and today it continued to recognize the extraordinary, transformative value of Tricafta by expanding coverage of Tricafta to children aged six to 11. “We are pleased to see that the restrictive opening criterion has also been removed, allowing more people to access the drug. We celebrate this news with our CF community in Ontario, who have worked tirelessly for this day.”
