NDP, Isaac Foundation call for expedited coverage for rare disease case, creation of promised strategy

SASKATOON - Today, Official Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat was joined by the family of Morgan Buyaki and the Isaac Foundation to call on the provincial government to expedite coverage of Morgan’s potentially life-saving NUCALA medication and to create the promised provincial rare disease strategy.

“Morgan’s condition is extremely rare and the government should cover the cost of her medication given it is an eligible benefit under Exception Drug Status and could save her life,” said Mowat. “Without government support, this potentially life-saving treatment could cost the family upwards of $9,000 each month. And without it, Morgan’s survival rate is about 25%. With treatment, it's 90%. The Sask. Party needs to do the right thing and help this family today.”

Morgan Buyaki is a 23-year-old woman from Nipawin who was recently diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). She struggles to breathe, frequently vomits and has issues with her liver, kidneys and heart. The government says it will only cover 100 mg of her NUCALA medication despite her required 300 mg monthly dosage. NUCALA is approved for use in Canada for this specific condition and could prove life-altering for Morgan.

“The last time I was in Saskatchewan advocating for the needs of rare disease patients, I received assurances a rare-disease policy would be implemented to ensure no patient would have to seek help from the media as opposed to their health care system,” said Andrew McFadyen, Executive Director of the Isaac Foundation. “I’m saddened that Morgan hasn’t benefited from the proposed new framework and that she’s had to plead publicly for access to a medication that could dramatically change her life.”

The Official Opposition, the Buyaki family and the Isaac Foundation call on the province to cover Morgan's medication and establish a rare disease strategy.

-30-

Latest posts

BECK CALLS ON FEDERAL LEADERS TO COMMIT TO MAKING EQUALIZATION FAIRER

Saskatchewan has been treated unfairly in equalization under successive federal governments, Sask. Party

REGINA – With a federal election looming, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck called on federal party leaders to commit to changing the unfair equalization formula.

SASKATCHEWAN NDP CALLS FOR A MADE-IN-SASKATCHEWAN STRATEGY AS JOBS LOST MOUNT IN PRINCE ALBERT, SASKATCHEWAN’S NORTH

PRINCE ALBERT – The latest December 2024 job numbers by Statistics Canada show that the Prince Albert and Northern economic area of Saskatchewan lost another 700 jobs last month. Overall, there are 1,100 fewer jobs in the region since Scott Moe became Premier in February 2018.

SASK. PARTY SENDS TERMINALLY ILL WEYBURN ADVOCATE A BILL AFTER PROMISING TO COVER CARE

Sask. Party suggests involuntary separation will fix financial challenges

WEYBURN – Fred Sandeski, a terminally ill community advocate, is making a final plea to the Sask. Party to honour their promise, cover his end-of-life care, and spare other families the hardship he has endured.

LATEST SASK PARTY REPORT: NEW STUDENTS UP 15,000 AND TEACHERS DOWN

REGINA – Since 2020, the number of students in Saskatchewan's education system has increased by over 15,000, while the total number of teachers has actually decreased.