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Ontario, Canada's largest province, halts new approvals for Alpha-1 augmentation therapy
Alpha-1 Canada
The Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care has stopped approving funding of alpha-1 antitrypsin augmentation therapy for newly-prescribed patients.
The therapy is the only specific treatment available for lung-involved patients in Canada with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. According to Alpha-1 Canada, the country’s Alpha-1 patient organization, fewer than 40 Alphas in Ontario are currently receiving augmentation (some funded through private insurance).
Ontario is Canada’s largest province, and Alpha-1 Canada is concerned that other provinces and private insurers will follow Ontario’s example. The decision to stop funding new patients was originally announced as temporary, but the patient group is concerned by the long halt in approval of treatment.
“We are aware of as many as ten newly diagnosed Ontarians that have been denied funding,” says Alpha-1 Canada on its website.
