Today, Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison, along with 58 other Conservative Members of Parliament, sent an open letter to Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu urging Health Canada to approve the life-saving Cystic Fibrosis drug, Trikafta.

“During this health crisis, individuals who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis are living in constant fear,” said Morrison. “The outcome of contracting COVID-19, for these individuals, is not good and yet there is a viable solution. It remains to be seen whether this government will approve the solution and how long will it take them to do so. I have met with families of those affected and I can tell you that every second that passes is far too long.”

In Canada, 4,300 individuals comprised mostly of children and young adults suffer from this rare genetic disease. Effective treatments for Cystic Fibrosis, such as Trikafta, are available worldwide but many are not currently available in Canada. Vertex, the producer of Trikafta which is known to effectively treat 90% of cases, 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.

Morrison concluded, “This is good news for those Canadians, and their families, who are living with Cystic Fibrosis. We now wait on federal and provincial governments to conclude a pricing agreement and approve the drug for distribution within Canada. We look forward to a response from Minister Hajdu.”

Submitted

---

Article Share

---