Canada is one step closer to an orphan drug plan after the House of Commons voted in favour of a motion that compels government to consider a policy to help those facing unequal access to medicines.
Private member's motion M-426, which passed on Wednesday, requires the government to examine options for defining rare diseases and disorders, to consider creating a fund to improve access to treatments, and to explore ways to encourage drug research, Liberal MP Don Bell said yesterday.
"Since May, 2006, there have been 90 private members' bills and motions," Mr. Bell said. "And there have only been 25 who have received royal assent or passed ... I consider myself very fortunate."
Mr. Bell said a so-called orphan disease is typically defined as a condition that affects one in 2,000 Canadians. Orphan drugs are expensive - in some cases costing $400,000 a year.
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Mr. Bell brought the motion forward after his grandson, Dylan Hunter Bell, who suffered from pulmonary hypertension and required continual drug treatment, died on July 14, 2007 - one day after his 12th birthday.
