On March 1st, Knowledge Ecology International sent a letter to The Hon. Mark Holland, Ministry of Health, and The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, urging the prompt consideration of adding risdiplam, a drug to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Patent Act.
The three approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, Zolgensma, Spinraza and Evrysdi, are all marked by excessive pricing. This has led to disparate access globally, with even high-income countries unable to provide access.
In the letter, KEI asks for the timely response from the Ministers to the following actions:
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- A meeting to discuss the issue and plan next steps; and
- A prompt recommendation from the Ministers of Health and Innovation for the addition of risdiplam to Schedule 1; and
- An order from the Governor in Council to amend Schedule 1 within the next 60 days.
The letter can be accessed here: Request for Amendment to Schedule 1 of the Patent Act