TORONTO — The Ontario government is launching a new program called Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) to help cancer patients get access to new, life-saving drugs more quickly. Ontario is the first province in Canada to introduce a program like this, which could get breakthrough cancer treatments to patients almost a year sooner.
“For thousands of Ontarians facing cancer, getting treatment fast can make all the difference,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This new program shows that Ontario is leading the way in improving cancer care and making sure patients get access to new medicines as soon as possible.”
Right now, Canadian patients often wait up to two years to access new publicly funded drugs — about a year longer than patients in other developed countries. The three-year pilot program will speed up access to about seven to ten important new cancer drugs each year that are approved by Health Canada through Project Orbis, an international program that helps fast-track promising cancer therapies.
Usually, governments wait for long price negotiations before funding new drugs. But under the FAST program, Ontario will start covering these cancer drugs while those talks are still happening. This means patients can begin receiving treatment sooner.
The FAST program is part of Ontario’s larger Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care strategy, which aims to make health care more accessible and faster for everyone — especially those needing critical treatments like cancer care.
Quick Facts:
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The Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program covers about 5,900 drug products for around 9 million Ontarians.
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Drugs not listed under ODB can be considered through the Exceptional Access Program (EAP), which includes over 1,300 additional drugs.
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The FAST program will be reviewed to make sure it improves patient experience and remains sustainable.
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In 2024, Ontario spent $9.5 billion on the ODB program, including $2.75 billion for cancer drugs and related therapies.
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Ontario recently received $178 million from the federal government to improve care for people with rare diseases.
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Over the next decade, Ontario will invest nearly $60 billion to expand hospitals and health facilities, adding thousands of new beds across the province.
