Barrie 
Ontario has approved funding for six new cancer drugs through its Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program, a pilot designed to shorten wait times for access to publicly funded treatments.
Since October 2025, the FAST program has accelerated coverage for six therapies used to treat lung cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer, lymphoma, colorectal cancer, and liver cancer.
The drugs include TAGRISSO, SCEMBLIX, NUBEQA, CALQUENCE, and two OPDIVO with YERVOY combination therapies.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said faster access to treatment is critical for patients. “For every Ontarian facing a cancer diagnosis, timely access to high-quality treatment can make all the difference,” she said, adding that the program is intended to accelerate access to life-saving therapies across the province.
Canadian patients currently wait close to two years for new publicly funded medicines, according to the release. The FAST program is designed to reduce that timeline by expediting funding decisions for seven to ten high-priority cancer drugs each year, allowing access up to one year sooner.
FAST prioritizes therapies approved through Project Orbis, an international collaboration that speeds regulatory review for promising cancer treatments. The province says this approach removes delays and supports earlier access to care.
The program is a three-year pilot and will be evaluated for patient experience, scope, and long-term sustainability. Ontario continues to fund cancer treatments through the Ontario Drug Benefit Program, which covers about 5,900 drug products for approximately nine million residents. Last year, the province invested $9.5 billion in the program, including $2.75 billion for cancer drugs and supportive therapies.
