Fact Check: B.C. pulls funding for $1 million drug for 9-year-old girl with rare disease
What We Know
The British Columbia (B.C.) government has announced that it will no longer fund a drug called Brineura for a nine-year-old girl named Charleigh Pollock, who suffers from a rare and terminal condition known as Batten disease. Charleigh has been receiving this treatment since 2019, which costs approximately $1 million annually. According to Health Minister Josie Osborne, Charleigh's condition has progressed to a point where the drug is no longer deemed beneficial, as clinical evidence suggests that Brineura is ineffective once a patient has declined in certain motor and language functions (The Canadian Press, Global News).
Charleigh is one of only 13 children in Canada with this genetic disorder, which leads to severe seizures and loss of mobility. The decision to discontinue funding follows a review by the Canada Drug Agency, which concluded that there was insufficient evidence to justify ongoing coverage of the drug given Charleigh's advanced condition (Vancouver is Awesome, CBC).
Analysis
The claim that B.C. has pulled funding for the drug is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The announcement was made by Health Minister Josie Osborne during a press conference, where she expressed empathy for Charleigh's family while explaining the rationale behind the decision. The government’s position is based on clinical guidelines that indicate Brineura is not effective at Charleigh's current stage of illness (CBC, Global News).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they include statements from government officials and coverage from established news organizations like CBC and Global News. These outlets have a history of reporting on health and policy issues, which lends credibility to their accounts. However, it is important to note that while the government cites clinical evidence for its decision, the emotional and personal impact on Charleigh's family is significant, as they have described the loss of funding as "catastrophic" for her well-being (Global News, CBC).
The decision has sparked considerable public outcry, highlighting the challenges faced by families dealing with rare diseases and the complexities of healthcare funding. Charleigh's mother has expressed deep concern over the implications of losing access to the drug, emphasizing the potential for increased suffering and a reduced quality of life for her daughter (Global News, CBC).
Conclusion
The claim that B.C. has pulled funding for a $1 million drug for a nine-year-old girl with a rare disease is True. The decision is based on clinical assessments that indicate the drug is no longer effective for Charleigh Pollock due to the progression of her condition. While the government has provided a rationale for this decision, it has also led to significant emotional distress for Charleigh's family, illustrating the difficult balance between healthcare policy and individual patient needs.
Sources
- B.C. government won't fund drug for rare disease for nine-year-old girl
- Terminally-ill B.C. girl with extremely rare disease will no longer ...
- B.C. government won't fund drug for rare disease for nine-year-old girl ...
- Vancouver Island family heartbroken as B.C. stops funding $1 ...
- B.C. pulls funding on $1M drug for 9-year-old Vancouver ...
