Novartis' Scemblix Gains Priority Access in Ontario, Accelerating Cancer Treatment
Novartis Canada has announced that Scemblix (asciminib), a treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), has been prioritized for public reimbursement under Ontario's new Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program. This initiative aims to reduce wait times for breakthrough cancer therapies, making Ontario the first Canadian province to fast-track such treatments. Scemblix is approved for newly diagnosed and previously treated CML patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive in chronic phase. The FAST program, leveraging Health Canada's Project Orbis pathway, ensures that innovative therapies reach eligible patients nearly a year sooner, addressing critical barriers to timely cancer care. 
