Ontario residents are set to benefit from accelerated access to new cancer medications, as announced by Sylvia Jones, the province’s deputy premier and health minister. The Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) initiative is designed to facilitate quicker connections between patients and potentially life-saving cancer treatments, reducing wait times by almost a full year. The program, taking place at the University Health Network’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, aims to fast-track access to up to 10 high-priority cancer drugs annually approved by Health Canada through the Project Orbis Pathway.
Project Orbis, an international collaboration initiated by the U.S., also involving Canada, Australia, Brazil, Switzerland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Israel, serves as the foundation for this endeavor. Under this program, patients can access approved medications while negotiations on pricing for public funding take place across various Canadian jurisdictions.
Prioritizing speed while ensuring safety, Jones emphasized the importance of efficient drug negotiations. In response to inquiries on how this effort aligns with the broader objectives of the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance to expedite drug price negotiation timelines nationwide, Jones highlighted the significance of provincial collaboration. Bettina Hamelin, the president and CEO of Innovative Medicines Canada, representing the pharmaceutical industry, emphasized the project’s focus on timely access to crucial treatments, particularly in the field of oncology.
Dr. Bishal Gyawali, a medical oncologist and associate professor at Queen’s University in Kingston, praised the initiative as a positive development but stressed the need to verify whether early drug access truly benefits patients. Gyawali noted the common complaint about delays and funding shortages, suggesting a need to explore why the industry does not adjust its pricing practices. Mina Tadrous, a researcher specializing in drug policy at the University of Toronto, suggested that encouraging companies to introduce medications to the Canadian market sooner could further enhance access to treatments.
