The province of Ontario has listed ALBRIOZA on the public formulary as a therapy accessible through the Ontario Drug Benefit Program’s Exceptional Access Program (EAP) as a treatment for ALS. This decision comes quickly after the conclusion of the pCPA negotiations, making Ontario the first province to fund ALBRIOZA and demonstrating that together the collective voices of the ALS community can make a difference.
While this is another positive step forward in access to the therapy, we are disappointed that the restrictive reimbursement eligibility criteria will create challenges for equitable access to Ontarians living with ALS. We urge Ontario and all remaining provinces to ensure the access criteria for approved ALS treatments like ALBRIOZA are equitable and inclusive for all Canadians who may benefit, as determined by their ALS clinician.
Now more than ever, advocating to your provincial government will send a clear message to decision-makers that there is an urgent need for the ALS community to have equitable access to treatments. Advocating for swift and equitable public reimbursement of ALBRIOZA will help lay the groundwork for access to future ALS therapies. It can take as little as 60 seconds to tell the Minister responsible for health in your province or territory that ALBRIOZA must be reimbursed without delay.
ALS Canada will continue to actively support the other provincial drug programs to make informed, inclusive, and expedited reimbursement decisions by bringing forward the perspective and experiences of people affected by ALS.
If you live in Ontario and are interested in accessing the therapy, connect with your ALS neurologist to understand any conditions for coverage.