More Manitoba children now eligible for cystic fibrosis drug Trikafta
The Manitoba government is offering more coverage for a cystic fibrosis medication, specifically for younger children.
Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced the news Wednesday, saying the drug Trikafta will now be available for people aged six and older.
Health Canada recently approved the drug for kids between the ages of six and 11 and then last month, the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health issued a revised recommendation to include all patients six and older.
Trikafta helps people with cystic fibrosis better manage their illness, by treating symptoms and also targeting the defect from specific genetic mutations.
The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Registry says there are more than 4,300 people with the illness in Canada, and around 130 of them are in Manitoba.
"I encourage parents and caregivers of children with cystic fibrosis who may benefit from Trikafta to speak with their health-care provider," said Gordon.
She said the drug has shown it can improve the quality of life for those with cystic fibrosis, adding it gives families hope.
"Last year, Manitoba funded the drug for those 12 and older and today has continued to recognize Trikafta's extraordinary, transformative value by expanding coverage," said Kelly Glover, the president and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, in a news release. "We celebrate this news alongside our CF community in Manitoba, who has worked tirelessly for this day."
Gordon said this announcement will allow patients and their families to better afford the drug, adding the government didn't want the drug's cost to impact people's ability to take it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer's disease
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Manitoba Court of Appeal dismisses Peter Nygard's appeal of extradition order
The Manitoba Court of Appeal has dismissed Peter Nygard's application for a judicial review of an order to extradite the former fashion mogul to the United States, where he faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
B.C. court date set for 3 accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three suspects accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year are scheduled to appear in court in Surrey on Tuesday.