There is good news coming from the province for those who suffer from ALS disease.

As of July 1, coverage for the drug  RADICAVA will be given  for eligible residents under the Saskatchewan Drug Plan.

Radicava is an intravenous infusion treatment for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which is  a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Studies have shown that Radicava can slow the progression of ALS for people newly diagnosed with ALS or in the early stages of the disease.

“Radicava is the first new ALS treatment available in Canada in many years,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said. “While this is not a cure for ALS, we are proud to offer coverage for this treatment that can help people in the early stages of ALS slow the rate of progression of their disease.”

Radicava costs approximately $123,000 per patient in the first year of treatment, and $120,000 annually afterward.