Close X
Sunday, January 12, 2025
ADVT 
National

Saskatoon Children With Rare Disease To Have $500,000 Drug Covered By Province

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Nov, 2015 10:59 AM
  • Saskatoon Children With Rare Disease To Have $500,000 Drug Covered By Province
REGINA — A Saskatoon father says it is "awesome" the provincial government has agreed to pay for an proven and costly drug treatment for his three children, who have a rare and often fatal blood disease.
 
Muhammed Akhter says when he got the phone call from the health minister he had to ask the woman on the line three times to repeat what she was saying.
 
He calls it "life-changing news."
 
Akhter's three children, ages 8, 10 and 12, suffer from Morquio Syndrome, a rare disease that causes problems with bone development and produces other complications.
 
The disease has already put two of Akhter's children into wheelchairs.
 
A drug called Vimizim, which costs $500,000 per child per year, is not a cure, although studies indicate it is effective in slowing down the disease in children under five.
 
Originally, the province denied coverage for the drug, citing consultations with an outside doctor that found the medication might not prove effective for the children who are older than five.
 
The decision was reversed this week after the province got more input from other doctors. The ministry agreed to cover Vimizim treatments on a trial basis for one year.
 
Akhter said he's hopeful the treatments will help his children have a more normal quality of life.
 
"Although they're smiling all the time, having this news, they're (even) happier now," he said.
 
Health Minister Dustin Duncan has said any further decision to provide coverage for Vimizim will be made on a case-by-case basis, and will rely on out-of-province specialist recommendations.

MORE National ARTICLES

Alberta Minister David Eggen Hires Third Party In Transgender Controversy At Edmonton School

Alberta Minister David Eggen Hires Third Party In Transgender Controversy At Edmonton School
David Eggen says in a statement that the group National Growth Partners will report back and provide recommendations starting in three months

Alberta Minister David Eggen Hires Third Party In Transgender Controversy At Edmonton School

Separate, Random Hammer Attacks In Quebec Leave One Dead, Three Injured

Separate, Random Hammer Attacks In Quebec Leave One Dead, Three Injured
A 19-year-old man was killed and two other people suffered head injuries following random attacks on Tuesday evening in Laval, just north of Montreal.

Separate, Random Hammer Attacks In Quebec Leave One Dead, Three Injured

Guy Turcotte's Mother Testifies About Rambling Conversation She Had With Her Son

Guy Turcotte's Mother Testifies About Rambling Conversation She Had With Her Son
Marguerite Fournier described the call she had with Turcotte on Feb. 20, 2009, the day his two children, Olivier and Anne-Sophie, were killed.

Guy Turcotte's Mother Testifies About Rambling Conversation She Had With Her Son

Quebec Judge Signs Off On $450-million Settlement Fund For Lac-Megantic Victims

Quebec Judge Signs Off On $450-million Settlement Fund For Lac-Megantic Victims
The roughly 25 companies that have agreed to contribute to the $450 million will begin releasing the money within three weeks, Benoit said.

Quebec Judge Signs Off On $450-million Settlement Fund For Lac-Megantic Victims

Some Details About Family In Sex Abuse Case Can Be Shared: Privacy Watchdog

Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham makes the ruling in a complaint filed by a mother identified only as J.P.

Some Details About Family In Sex Abuse Case Can Be Shared: Privacy Watchdog

Winnipeg Woman Denied Protection Order Against Man Accused Of Killing Her

Winnipeg Woman Denied Protection Order Against Man Accused Of Killing Her
The 20-year-old spoke by phone May 19 to a justice of the peace based in Brandon, Man., and alleged in a soft, matter-of-fact voice that she had been hit, kicked and beaten regularly by Ray William Everett.

Winnipeg Woman Denied Protection Order Against Man Accused Of Killing Her