See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Renewed 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.

  • On July 4, Health Minister Josie Osborne held a private meeting with Batten disease specialists and the mother of Charleigh Pollock to address critical new developments regarding her treatment.
  • This meeting followed the province's June 18 decision to end funding for Brineura, a costly drug that slows but does not cure Charleigh's rare neurological disease.
  • Experts and advocates argued that Charleigh, who turned 10 on July 2, still benefits from Brineura, citing relief from seizures and maintained skills despite disease progression.
  • Dr. Ineka Whiteman criticized the Canadian Drug Agency review for limited evidence inclusion and lack of consultation with Batten disease specialists who designed the clinical scale.
  • The minister committed to forwarding new information to the expert committee but gave no timeline for funding reversal, leaving Charleigh's treatment status uncertain amid community support efforts.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?

17 Articles

All
Left
12
Center
1
Right
crestonvalleyadvance.cacrestonvalleyadvance.ca
+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
Lean Left

Island girl's family still in limbo after B.C. health minister meeting

10-year-old Charleigh Pollock's mom says Health Minister Josie Osborne said 'It's a no for now'

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 92% of the sources lean Left
92% Left
Factuality

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Oak Bay News broke the news in Oak Bay, Canada on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Sources are mostly out of (0)