Epilepsy drug 'with the power to be life-changing' now covered in Sask.

CBC

01-05-2025

An anti-seizure medication that epilepsy patients have been asking the Saskatchewan government to pay for is now being covered in the province.
Xcopri, the brand name for cenobamate tablets, is being added to the Saskatchewan Formulary.
In a news release issued Thursday morning, Saskatchewan health minister Jeremy Cockrill acknowledged people living with epilepsy, and the specialists who care for them, have been calling for access to this medication.
Cockrill said the drug offers "real hope" to people struggling with uncontrolled seizures, adding it could mean fewer hospital visits, fewer surgeries, and a better quality of life.
In the government release, Epilepsy Saskatoon President Lori Newman said Xcopri has shown it has the potential to reduce or control seizures, even for people that have historically struggled with seizure control.
Newman said the medication "has the power to be life-changing," adding coverage of the drug gives people living with epilepsy "tangible hope."
According to the government, about 10,500 people in Saskatchewan live with epilepsy. It estimates about 100 people could benefit from this medication in the first year of coverage.
Criteria for coverage of Xcopri is listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary, along with other medications that may be appropriate for epilepsy patients.