Ontario's FAST Program Slashes Wait Times for Cancer Drugs

MISSISSAUGA, ON – January 23, 2026 – Cancer patients in Ontario are gaining access to life-changing treatments faster than ever before, thanks to a new provincial initiative designed to cut through bureaucratic red tape. The Ontario government has announced that two critical oncology drugs from AstraZeneca, Tagrisso® and Calquence®, are among the first to be publicly funded through its new Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program.

The move makes Ontario the first province to fund Tagrisso for a specific group of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and Calquence for those with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma. This accelerated pathway represents a significant shift in how innovative medicines reach patients, offering hope to thousands who previously faced lengthy and uncertain waits.

"For every Ontarian facing a cancer diagnosis, timely access to high-quality treatment can make all the difference," said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, in a statement. "Through the FAST program, our government is accelerating access to life-saving therapies including, Tagrisso and Calquence, bringing hope, peace of mind, and transformative care to those who need it most."

A New Model for Drug Access

The FAST program is a three-year pilot initiative that fundamentally disrupts the traditional, often protracted, drug funding process in Canada. Historically, patients have waited an average of two and a half years for new medicines to become publicly funded after regulatory approval, one of the longest waits among G7 nations. This delay stems from a multi-step process involving Health Canada approval, a clinical and economic review by Canada's Drug Agency (CDA-AMC), and subsequent price negotiations between provinces and manufacturers via the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA).

Ontario's FAST program aims to eliminate a significant portion of that wait time. Under this new model, the province provides public funding for select, high-priority drugs immediately after they receive a positive final recommendation from the CDA-AMC, but while the national pCPA price negotiations are still underway. This "interim funding" period could shorten the path to patient access by up to a year.

To be eligible, drugs must be part of Project Orbis, an international partnership that includes Health Canada and is designed to give cancer patients faster access to promising treatments by fast-tracking regulatory reviews. If public funding is not continued after the pCPA negotiations conclude, the manufacturer is responsible for funding the drug for any patient who began treatment during the interim period, providing a crucial safety net.

The Human Impact for Cancer Patients

For individuals battling aggressive cancers, time is a critical, non-renewable resource. The FAST program's immediate impact will be felt by two specific patient populations who now have access to targeted therapies that were previously out of reach through public funding.

Tagrisso (osimertinib) is now reimbursed for patients with locally advanced, unresectable (stage III) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have specific EGFR mutations. This targeted therapy is administered after chemoradiation and can be a game-changer for this subset of patients. "For people living with EGFR‑mutated Stage III NSCLC, timely access to targeted treatment after chemoradiation can be life-changing," said Shem Singh, Executive Director of Lung Cancer Canada. "Ontario's decision to enable access to therapies through the FAST program offers renewed hope for patients and families, and underscores how provincial leadership can shorten the path to the right care."

Similarly, Calquence (acalabrutinib) is now funded in combination with other therapies for adult patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who are not eligible for a stem cell transplant. MCL is a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that often affects older adults. "MCL is a rare and often aggressive disease most commonly diagnosed in older adults who are especially vulnerable to delays in care," noted Antonella Rizza, CEO, Lymphoma Canada. "We're grateful that the Ontario Government is leading the way in driving systemic change to enable quicker access to evidence-based treatments and helping reduce unnecessary wait times for patients in need."

Reshaping Canada's Drug Funding Landscape

Ontario's bold move is sending ripples across the country, potentially setting a new national standard for patient-centered healthcare. The province's willingness to fund drugs before national price negotiations are finalized challenges a long-standing collective bargaining model and puts pressure on other jurisdictions to re-evaluate their own timelines.

The impact is already visible. Shortly after Ontario's announcement, it was confirmed that Tagrisso has also been listed on the public formularies of Quebec and Saskatchewan for the same NSCLC indication, demonstrating a potential domino effect. This rapid adoption suggests other provinces are keen to avoid falling behind in providing access to critical therapies.

Furthermore, in what appears to be a direct response to Ontario's initiative, the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance itself has announced its own expedited negotiation pathways, including an Early Negotiation Process for Project Orbis cancer drugs. This signals a broader acknowledgment that the status quo is no longer sufficient and that system-wide changes are needed to address Canada's lag in providing timely access to innovative medicines.

A Strategic Partnership and Future Questions

The FAST program is built on a foundation of collaboration between government, regulators, and industry. AstraZeneca Canada, the manufacturer of Tagrisso and Calquence, has been a key partner in this first wave of accelerated funding. "This first-of-its kind program underscores the Government of Ontario's bold leadership in accelerating patient access to much-needed cancer medicines," said Gaby Bourbara, President, AstraZeneca Canada. "Public funding of Tagrisso and Calquence through FAST shows what is possible when regulators, payers, clinicians, and industry work together."

From a business perspective, the program provides AstraZeneca with a significant competitive advantage through faster market access in Canada's largest province. It aligns with a broader industry strategy of engaging proactively with governments to find innovative solutions to reimbursement hurdles.

However, as a pilot program, FAST will be closely evaluated over the next three years to assess its scope, patient experience, and long-term financial sustainability. The Ontario government currently invests approximately $2.75 billion annually in cancer drugs, and the fiscal impact of funding more high-cost therapies before price finalization will be a key metric. The program's success will ultimately be measured not only by the speed of access but also by its ability to create a sustainable and equitable model for the future of drug funding in Canada.