Ontario man says medication he's been taking for a decade just quadrupled in price
An Ontario man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy said he was shocked when he got his latest prescription filled for a medication he has been taking for the past ten years.
“I couldn’t believe it. I need to take this medication to help my muscles be able to work a bit better and it has almost quadrupled in price,” said 21-year-old Arun Crishanth of Aurora.
The medication is Deflazacort, a popular drug used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, however it is not covered under government health plans.
The drug is a steroid taken daily to help keep muscles strong and symptoms of muscular dystrophy in check.
Crishanth said he used to get a four month supply of Deflazacort for $187, but when he got his last prescription filled it jumped to $666.
Crishanth was told by his pharmacy Pharmasave that the price increase was due to it being manufactured by a new drug company.
“This new company decided to turn around and quadruple the price. To me it seems ridiculous that they can increase the price that much," said Crishanth.
CTV News Toronto reached out to Pharmasave and a spokesperson said, “Pharmacy pricing in Canada is linked to the cost to purchase the medication from the manufacturer or distributor. The increased pricing experienced by pharmacies (and thus also to patients) is due to manufacturer and distributor changes.”
Deflazacort, a popular drug used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is photographed. CTV News Toronto also reached out to Muscular Dystrophy Canada and its CEO Stacey Lintern said in a statement, “Many individuals and their families have been advised by their doctors that Deflazacort is the most suitable option due to its minimal side effects, with some individuals having been on this treatment for 15 years or more. However, the significant increase in price will have detrimental effects on these individuals and their families.”
CTV News Toronto was unable to reach the new manufacturer of Deflazacourt, however Muscular Dystrophy Canada confirmed the price increase was due to a new manufacturer making the drug in Europe which also means increased shipping costs.
While there are cheaper alternatives, they have side effects and many patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy feel that Deflazacourt is the preferred treatment.
"It’s a drug I’ve been taking for so many years, since I was 10 years old," said Crishanth, who said the drug will now cost him almost $2,000 a year.
"Obviously they should not be able to increase prices like that. It clearly isn't because of inflation, this is just to make some money and I think it's ridiculous that that can happen," said Crishanth.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada said it's important for patients to have equal access to appropriate treatments at a fair cost and that they will continue to try and influence change with regards to the price hike.
If you or your child is experiencing challenges accessing Deflazacort, you can contact Muscular Dystrophy Canada at research@muscle.ca or call 1-800-567-2873 ext. 1114.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
China's latest EV is a 'connected' car from smart phone and electronics maker Xiaomi
Xiaomi, a well-known maker of smart consumer electronics in China, is joining the country's booming but crowded market for electric cars.