US EditionRenewed Hope for B.C. Girl with Rare Disease as New Information Presented to Health Minister
BRITISH COLUMBIA, JUL 7 – Health Minister Josie Osborne is reviewing the decision to stop funding Brineura for Charleigh Pollock, with experts and community advocating based on new clinical criteria and ongoing benefits.
- Charleigh Pollock, a 10-year-old girl from British Columbia with Batten disease, faces halted funding for her medication Brineura as of June 19, 2025.
- The decision to discontinue funding for Brineura came after the Canadian Drug Expert Committee determined that there was a lack of definitive proof supporting the drug’s effectiveness in improving quality of life, controlling seizures, or extending survival.
- On July 4, Charleigh's mother, Jori Fales, and Batten disease specialists urgently presented new clinical data to Health Minister Josie Osborne, asserting the drug remains effective for Charleigh.
- In a video caption, Fales reflected on the happiness brought by witnessing her creativity, laughter, and radiant spirit, describing it as a deeply needed source of comfort, while critics argued that the review failed to consult important experts who have dedicated a decade to researching the drug.
- While Osborne agreed to forward the new information to expert committees, she did not commit to reinstating funding, leaving Charleigh's family hopeful but uncertain about the treatment's future.
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Information for medication for Charleigh to be forwarded for review: Premier
B.C.'s premier says information presented to the health minister on Friday about the medication for a terminally ill 10-year-old will be forwarded to experts for review, but continues to make no promises on resuming funding.
·Victoria, Canada
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Total News Sources18
Leaning Left12Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution92% Left
Bias Distribution
- 92% of the sources lean Left
92% Left
L 92%
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