Fifty-nine Conservative Members of Parliament have sent an open letter to Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu urging Health Canada to approve the life-saving Cystic Fibrosis drug, Trikafta.
“During this international health crisis, people who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis are living in constant fear that they will contract COVID-19 which would, in many cases, take their lives,” said Ted Falk, Member of Parliament for Provencher.
In Canada, 4,300 people suffer from this rare genetic disease, including several residents in Provencher. Most are children and young adults. Effective treatments for CF are available worldwide, but many are not currently available in Canada. Trikafta is a medication found to effectively treat 90% of cases. Vertex, the producer of Trikafta and other CF drugs has indicated their willingness to negotiate and conclude a Price Listing Agreement with the Pan Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA). During the negotiation period, they have offered to supply their drugs to Canadians suffering with CF for free.
“I have recently met with constituents who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis and this is good news for those afflicted and their families. Conservative MP’s are now looking to the federal and provincial governments to approve this drug for distribution in Canada and to conclude a pricing agreement. We look forward to a response from Minister Hajdu on approving this critical drug,” said MP Falk.
