Ontario Launches FAST Program to Deliver Life-Saving Cancer Drugs Sooner
New pilot program aims to cut wait times by nearly a year for breakthrough cancer drug treatments
Toronto, ON – The Ontario government has launched a new pilot program designed to significantly accelerate access to life-saving cancer treatments, making the province the first jurisdiction in Canada to fast-track public funding for breakthrough oncology drugs.
The Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program, announced on October 7 by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, is a three-year initiative that will connect patients with high-priority cancer drugs up to 12 months faster than current national timelines.
“For thousands of Ontarians facing a cancer diagnosis, fast access to treatment is critical,” said Minister Jones in a news release. “That’s why our government is transforming cancer care and speeding up access to new and life-changing treatment options.”
What the FAST Program Will Do
The FAST program will expedite funding for seven to ten cutting-edge cancer drugs each year, prioritizing those approved under Project Orbis—a Health Canada initiative that works with international partners to accelerate regulatory reviews of promising cancer therapies.
Unlike the current system, which requires provinces to wait for pan-Canadian pricing negotiations before funding begins, the FAST program initiates public funding while negotiations are still ongoing. This change could reduce the typical two-year wait time that Canadian patients face to access new medicines.
By moving forward with this bold reform, the province aims to align with international best practices, where patients in countries like the United States and members of the European Union often access the same medicines a full year sooner.
Why This Matters
Delays in access to cancer treatments can be life-altering. A faster path to innovative drugs could improve survival rates and quality of life for many patients while easing the emotional and physical burden on families.
The pilot also aligns with Ontario’s broader health-care strategy—“Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care”—which aims to improve health outcomes by making care more accessible, timely, and responsive to patients’ needs.
Health experts and cancer advocacy organizations have long called for more flexible models of drug funding, particularly in oncology, where speed can be as important as efficacy.
Ontario Leading the Way
With this announcement, Ontario becomes a national leader in cancer care innovation. The FAST program could serve as a model for other provinces and territories looking to modernize their public drug programs.
It also reflects a growing recognition that drug funding systems need to adapt to the realities of today’s rapidly evolving pharmaceutical landscape—especially in areas like oncology, where precision therapies and immunotherapies are emerging at a record pace.
As the FAST pilot rolls out over the next three years, patient advocacy groups and health-care professionals will be watching closely to ensure it delivers on its promise of faster, fairer access to the most promising treatments available.
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