TORONTO \u2013 Canadians with cystic Fibrosis (CF) have been living with unequal access to treatment for a full year now as KALYDECO a life-saving treatment for this disease celebrates its one year anniversary of approval by Health Canada without wide spread public drug plan coverage. Some Canadians have been lucky enough to receive this medication through their private insurance, but others continue to wait for their provincial governments to provide coverage while their lung function deteriorates day by day. The longer that access to KALYDECO is denied to Canadian patients, the longer we support a two-tier system where only those with private insurance can gain access to this life saving treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll we are asking for is an equal chance for all cystic fibrosis patients to get access to the treatment they need\u201d said Christopher MacLeod, Chair of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Treatment Council and a CF patient who is receiving KALYDECO through his private insurance. \u201cPublic coverage for KALYDECO in Canada has been stalled for too long now, and for many patients access delayed is access denied.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are over 100 Canadians suffering from Cystic Fibrosis in Canada for whom KALYDECO may be the only alternative to an eventual transplant. The mean age of those killed by this disease is 22. The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Treatment Council is calling on provincial governments to step up and provide public coverage for KALYDECO before it is too late for those who need it. At this time the drug is only available through private insurers, or through Quebec\u2019s Special Access Program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a treatment that has revolutionized the way in which Cystic Fibrosis care will be delivered, it\u2019s a game changer in the fight against CF,\u201d said Dr. Kieran McIntyre, doctor of Respirology and Cystic Fibrosis at St. Michael\u2019s Hospital. \u201cI have patients that need this medication but without private insurance will not be fortunate enough to begin therapy. We cannot continue to have patients who are excluded from the care they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canadians with CF have nothing to celebrate until provincial governments decide that a two tier system for drug access is not acceptable and that Canadians should not be denied life-saving medication solely because they do not have private insurance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI spent three of the six months before I started taking KALYDECO in hospital,\u201d said Chris. \u201cI\u2019ve been on the drug for a year now and haven\u2019t spent a single day of that in hospital. I\u2019m one of the lucky ones, but there are many people out there who do not share my good fortune. I will not rest until there is equal access for all CF suffers. \u201c<\/p>\n
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Media Contact:<\/b><\/p>\n
Chris MacLeod<\/p>\n
Chair of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Treatment Council<\/p>\n
647-381-4902<\/p>\n
cmacleod@cambridgellp.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One Year Anniversary of Canadian Approval for KALYDECO Goes by Without Public Access TORONTO \u2013 Canadians with cystic Fibrosis (CF) have been living with unequal access to treatment for a full year now as KALYDECO a life-saving treatment for this … Continue reading