SMA drug Zolgensma finally makes Alberta's Rare Diseases Drug Coverage Program
Coverage for Zolgensma, a gene therapy used to treat spinal muscular atrophy, is now permanently available in Alberta.
The therapy was added to the province's Rare Diseases Drug Coverage Program after the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) reached a long-term pricing agreement with manufacturer Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. in October.
Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping said in a statement the government was "extremely pleased" at the development and Alberta's new ability to offer the treatment on a more secure basis.
The province had been providing access to the drug on its own pending a national drug review, approval and the price negotiations with Novartis.
Zolgensma, a one-time treatment with a price tag of $2.91 million, is administered by intravenous infusion to replace a missing or faulty gene that results in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The rare disorder can cause a loss of muscle function and is seen in about one in 10,000 Canadian babies each year, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
Zolgensma is supposed to stop the disease's progression and restore protein production of the missing or defective SMN1 gene. It must be administered when a patient is a toddler.
Several Alberta families led the push to have it approved and covered in Alberta and Canada.
Spinraza, a spinal injection given three times a year that can be used as a treatment for SMA, is also covered under the Alberta Drug Benefit List.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.