First-in-Canada FAST program for Six cancer drugs is coming
Jan. 28, 2026
Global Korean Post
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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.
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.
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
by Global Korean Post from Ontario’s Ministry of Health
