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People living with cystic fibrosis (CF) in Saskatchewan now have access to a new medication that can be life-changing.
CF is a genetic disease that damages the lungs and digestive system. There is no cure. According to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Registry, there are more than 4,500 CF patients in Canada, including almost 150 in Saskatchewan.
Devina Griffith said she started learning about it when her daughter Baylor was born, and found a big need for personal involvement.
“It came to light how inaccessible some medications were and what needed to be done for patients with cystic fibrosis,” Griffith said. “And what it was, is having people raising their voices.”
Griffith was born in Saskatoon, but her journey started in the U.S., where her daughter was born. When the family decided to move back to Saskatchewan, they found a treatment gap.
“Suddenly, I realized that my daughter might not have access to a medication that is crucial for her,” Griffth said.
Devina Griffith has done multiple advocacy work for cystic fibrosis. She chaired the Saskatoon CF Walk for 2026, which raised over $50,000 for CF Canada. (Submitted by Devina Griffith)
Since then, she has been an advocate for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. She served as chair of the 2026 Saskatoon CF Walk, which raised over $50,000 for CF Canada, and has been pushing for provincial funding of a new medication that could benefit many patients in the province.
The medication
As of Aug. 1, the provincial government will cover the costs of a medication called Alyftrek, which will be available for patients ages six and older who meet the medical criteria.
The province also covers other medications that treat specific forms of the disease, such as Trikafta, Orkambi and Kalydeco.
CF has more than 2,000 mutations, and some of these drugs might not fit each patient’s case or may cause side effects.
According to a provincial government news release, Alyftrek is effective for patients who have one of 266 rare genetic mutations, and more than 95 per cent of patients in Saskatchewan are candidates for the therapy.
Devina Griffith says her daughter’s cystic fibrosis diagnosis came as a shock. Medications to treat the condition had severe side effects for Baylor. (Submitted by Devina Griffith)
Nita Chaunhan is a pediatric respirologist and director of the Saskatoon Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Clinic. She told CBC’s The 306 that she hopes this new medication will open the doors to people who couldn’t take Trikafta or other medications because of side effects.
Baylor is one of those patients.
Chauhan said Alyftrek can improve treatment and overall life quality for patients.
“Taking a medication twice a day, every day at the exact time is a little bit challenging,” Chauhan said. “So therapies for cystic fibrosis, really, are kind of all-consuming.”
Baylor, right, and her sister Tember. Baylor is five years old and will be able to start taking Alyftrek when she turns six. (Submitted by Devina Griffith)
In the early spring, Griffith and other advocates started gathering signatures and sending letters to the Ministry of Health.
“Some letters were sent out specifically about Alyftrek because we know there’s at least one patient in Saskatchewan who really needs access to this medication,” she said.
Her family is really excited about this accomplishment, but the advocacy journey is far from over, she added.
“What people don’t realize is that illness and disability can happen to anyone.”