Sask. expands coverage for cystic fibrosis drug to kids aged 2 to 5

Saskatchewan is expanding its coverage for the cystic fibrosis drug Trikafta to younger children.

According to the Ministry of Health, children aged two to five who meet the medical criteria will be eligible for the new coverage.

While there isn’t a cure for cystic fibrosis, Trikafta helps address its underlying cause by improving lung function. Everett Hindley, Saskatchewan’s health minister, said he was pleased to expand the coverage to younger patients.

“Trikafta has been shown to improve quality of life in patients living with CF, so this expanded coverage means more children with CF can benefit and lead healthier lives,” Hindley said in a statement.

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The expansion comes after the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health made the recommendation in December.

In Saskatchewan, about 125 people are living with cystic fibrosis, which is a progressive genetic disease that affects the lungs and other organs.

Around 90 patients in the province already benefit from coverage for Trikafta, the ministry said, with roughly five more children to be added to that total by the expansion.

Kelly Grover, president and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, lauded the province as an early adopter of the treatment.

“Saskatchewan was one of the first provinces to fund Trikafta for both the six years and older and 12 years and older age groups, and today has continued to recognize the treatment’s transformative value by expanding coverage to include children ages two to five years old,” Grover said in a statement.

“While not a cure, starting young children with cystic fibrosis on modulator therapy as early as possible could protect their health and prevent significant structural lung damage from occurring.”

Any cystic fibrosis patients — or their parents and guardians — who think they may benefit from the drug were encouraged to speak to their doctors.

The ministry noted that Saskatchewan also provides coverage for Orkambi and Kalydeco, two other cystic fibrosis medications that target specific genetic mutations of the disease.