New Brunswick's health minister says the province will provide interim coverage of a costly drug for a 10-year-old boy with a rare disease.
Victor Boudreau said in a statement Wednesday that the province will pay for up to a year's worth of Vimizim to assess its effectiveness treating Morquio Syndrome.
Morgan Doucet and his parents went public with an appeal for the province to cover the drug —which costs up to $200,000 per year — after their initial request was rejected.
The boy's mother, Carolle Mazerolle, has said Morgan is in declining health because the disease causes an enzyme deficiency that leads to many complications including headaches, fatigue, and vomiting.
Boudreau said last week he had instructed health officials to find an independent specialist to offer a second opinion about the effectiveness of the drug.
He said the year's worth of medication will provide a trial period to assess its effectiveness.
