Fact Check: B.C. government cuts funding for $1 million drug for 9-year-old girl
What We Know
The British Columbia (B.C.) government has decided to discontinue funding for a drug called Brineura, which is used by a 9-year-old girl named Charleigh Pollock. Charleigh suffers from a rare and terminal genetic disorder known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2), also referred to as Batten disease. This condition leads to severe neurological decline, including multiple daily seizures and eventual brain damage (CBC). The drug, which costs approximately $1 million per year, was initially funded by the province when Charleigh was three years old to help slow the progression of her disease (CTV News).
Health Minister Josie Osborne stated that the decision to stop funding was based on recommendations from medical experts, indicating that Charleigh's condition had progressed to a point where the drug no longer provided benefits (CBC). The B.C. government emphasized that the cost of the medication did not influence their decision, which was rooted in clinical assessments (CTV News).
Analysis
The claim that the B.C. government has cut funding for a $1 million drug for a 9-year-old girl is supported by multiple credible sources. The reports from both CBC and CTV News provide detailed accounts of the situation, including the medical rationale behind the decision. The B.C. government has clarified that the discontinuation of funding was based on clinical criteria established by independent experts (CBC, CTV News).
However, there is a notable emotional aspect to this decision, as Charleigh's family has publicly expressed their distress over the funding cut. Charleigh's mother, Jori Fales, has argued that the drug is still beneficial for her daughter and has called the decision "cruel and wrong" (CBC). This highlights a potential conflict between clinical guidelines and the subjective experiences of patients and their families, which can complicate public perception of such decisions.
The sources used in this analysis are reputable news outlets, known for their journalistic integrity. CBC and CTV News are both established Canadian news organizations that adhere to professional reporting standards, making their coverage reliable for understanding this issue.
Conclusion
The claim that the B.C. government has cut funding for a $1 million drug for a 9-year-old girl is True. The decision was officially announced, citing clinical assessments as the basis for discontinuation, despite the emotional impact on the family involved. The information presented is corroborated by multiple credible sources, confirming the accuracy of the claim.
