Fact Check: B.C. pulls funding for $1 million drug for terminally ill 9-year-old girl
What We Know
The British Columbia (B.C.) government has indeed announced the discontinuation of funding for a $1 million-per-year drug called Brineura, which is used by a nine-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 causes severe seizures and progressive neurological decline, ultimately leading to brain damage and early death (CBC).
Funding for Brineura was initially approved when Charleigh was three years old, and it was intended to slow the progression of her disease. However, Health Minister Josie Osborne stated that medical experts determined Charleigh's condition had progressed to a point where the drug would no longer be effective, leading to the decision to withdraw funding (CBC).
Analysis
The claim that B.C. has pulled funding for the drug is supported by multiple sources, including a detailed report from CBC and Global News. Both reports confirm that the B.C. government made the decision based on recommendations from a committee of independent medical experts, who evaluated Charleigh's declining motor and language functions as criteria for discontinuation of the drug (CBC).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of reporting on health and government issues. However, the emotional weight of the story and the involvement of Charleigh's family may introduce a degree of bias in the public perception of the decision. Charleigh's mother has publicly expressed her distress over the decision, emphasizing that the drug has been beneficial for her daughter (Global News).
Despite the emotional appeals from the family, the government maintains that the decision was made based on clinical evidence and the recommendations of health experts, which adds a layer of complexity to the narrative surrounding the funding withdrawal.
Conclusion
The claim that B.C. has pulled funding for a $1 million drug for a terminally ill nine-year-old girl is True. The decision was based on medical evaluations indicating that the drug would no longer be effective for Charleigh Pollock due to the progression of her disease. While the emotional impact of this decision is significant, the government's rationale is rooted in clinical assessments made by independent experts.
Sources
- B.C. pulls funding on $1M drug for 9-year-old Vancouver ... CBC
- B.C. to continue covering 9-year-old's $1M drug as it ... Global News
