Tottenham mom hopeful with new drug approval for cystic fibrosis
It's been a long road for Sasha Haughian, whose two sons live with cystic fibrosis (CF).
"I just never thought we would get this far," the Tottenham mom says after receiving news that Health Canada gave the green light to a life-saving new drug to treat CF, called Trikafta.
Both her boys, Andre, 11, and Joshua, 9, were diagnosed with CF, a genetic disease that has no cure and affects the digestive system and lungs.
CF is a progressive disease that can take a toll. Andre and Joshua live with a chronic cough that can keep them up nights.
Andre suffered a lung collapse and has permanent lung damage.
Haughian says she's hopeful with the prospect of a new drug.
"The bad days they're in the hospital, and I hope with these new drugs, those days are going to be few and far between."
For roughly two years, Haughian and families like hers have been fighting to get the drug and others like it approved.
Related Article: Mother fights for medication for her sons diagnosed with fatal disease
Cystic Fibrosis Canada chief scientific officer Dr. John Wallenburg says getting a new drug approved is no easy task. "Sadly, it's a rare occasion when a drug moves this smoothly and quickly through the system, and it really is a credit, I think, to the cystic fibrosis community."
People 12 and older will become eligible to receive Trikafta. Two other medications are also in the process of becoming widely accessible, but there are still a couple of hurdles left to go.
"The premiers and the health ministers across the country, we really need them to go 'Yes, this drug is a priority' and to list it on their provincial formularies as soon as possible," Dr. Wallenburg adds.
"It's like a big weight lifted off our shoulders, probably similar to when people got the vaccine or knew the vaccine was coming because you can just start to plan your future," Haughian concludes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.