The only reason I can imagine private healthcare cheerleaders known as the ucp doing anything helpful is that someone in gov't has a relative suffering from this. It is totally out of character for the ucp to do this.

Spectacular news for those Impacted by this horrific disease. Here's to hoping this inspires other provinces to follow suit- even it delays the disease long enough for patients to properly sign the MAID paperwork before it's too late to make that decision for themselves

This is the best summary I could come up with:

People with ALS — amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a gradual wasting away of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord — live about two to five years after the onset of symptoms.

The first signs of ALS include weakness in a leg, hand or the face, or having a hard time talking or swallowing, Alberta Health says on its website.

As motor neurons slowly die, ALS causes muscle twitching, trouble using hands and fingers, problems with speaking, swallowing, eating, walking, and breathing.

Dr. Theodore Mobach, a neurologist and director of the ALS clinic in Calgary, said trials are showing that Albrioza helps slow the death of the motor neuron cells.

Mobach said because ALS doesn't have a cure and it impacts patients so dramatically, Health Canada approved the drug conditionally based on the phase two trial.

Patients are eligible for coverage through Alberta Blue Cross if they've had ALS symptoms for 18 months or less and don't need to be on ventilation, according to the province's drug benefit list.

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