Ontario Fast-Tracking Access to Six Breakthrough Cancer Drugs

First-in-Canada FAST program connecting patients to life-extending treatments up to a year sooner

The Ontario government is continuing to lead the world in cancer care by approving access to six new life-extending cancer treatments through the Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program. This first-in-Canada initiative is fast-tracking access to breakthrough cancer drugs, giving patients in need faster access to life-changing treatment options. This bold initiative will continue to connect patients to life-saving cancer treatments almost a full year sooner, as part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario’s health-care system.

“For every Ontarian facing a cancer diagnosis, timely access to high-quality treatment can make all the difference,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Through the FAST program, we’re accelerating access to life-saving therapies across the province, bringing hope, peace of mind, and transformative care to those who need it most.”

Since October 2025, six cancer drugs have now been accelerated for funding through the FAST pilot, giving cancer patients access to the following life-saving treatments:

  • TAGRISSO: Used to treat lung cancer
  • SCEMBLIX: Used to treat a type of leukemia
  • NUBEQA: Used to treat prostate cancer
  • CALQUENCE: Used to treat lymphoma
  • OPDIVO with YERVOY: Combination therapy used to treat a type of colorectal cancer
  • OPDIVO with YERVOY: Combination therapy used to treat a type of liver cancer

Building on this momentum, Ontario expects to fast-track additional cancer drug approvals in the coming months. Canadian patients currently wait nearly two years to access new publicly funded medicines – a full year longer than patients in other developed countries. The FAST program accelerates this process by expediting access to seven to ten high-priority cancer drugs every year, helping Ontario patients receive publicly funded treatments up to one year sooner.

FAST prioritizes medicines approved through Project Orbis, an international initiative that fast-tracks regulatory review for promising cancer therapies. This innovative approach puts patients first and ensures they can receive timely access to the life-changing treatments they need. By removing unnecessary delays, Ontario is leading the way in rethinking how cancer care can be delivered, here in Ontario and across the world.

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, Ontario continues to modernize the health-care system and expand access to critical services, ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right time.

Quick Facts

  • The Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program is one of the most generous drug benefit programs in Canada, providing coverage for approximately 5,900 drug products and therapeutic treatments on the ODB Formulary for approximately 9 million Ontarians.
  • Drugs that are not listed in the ODB Formulary may be considered for coverage on a case-by-case basis through the Exceptional Access Program, which includes nearly 1,500 drugs, upon meeting specified criteria.
  • The FAST program is a three-year pilot and will be evaluated to identify opportunities to improve patient experience, assess its scope and ensure long-term sustainability.
  • Last year, Ontario invested $9.5 billion to support the Ontario Drug Benefit program, including approximately $2.75 billion for cancer drugs and supportive therapies in the community.
  • In January 2025, Ontario and the Government of Canada signed a three-year agreement to improve care for people with rare diseases. Ontario is receiving $178 million through the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases to enhance early screening, diagnostics, and access to treatments—building on the province’s $489 million investment over the past year to fund 55 rare disease drugs through its public drug programs.
Author: Pete Fisher

Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love

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