Costco Flyer - 05/01-05/31/2023 (Page 78)

hope for the future help for those born with cystic fibrosis by lawrence varga and joseph hanna lawrence varga tant vice president of costco pharmacy joseph hanna costco pharmacy contributed to this column canada lthough only just over 4,300 canadians have cystic fibrosis about the disease this may genetic disorder-which affects the lungs pancreas and other organs-rarely sur- than half of those with cf are over 18 with the median survival age at just over two canadians are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conduc- malfunctioning or no cftr proteins; these proteins are responsible for ensur- ing that mucus in the body is the right this thick mucus in the pancreas liver and intestines causes blockages that on the horizon four breakthrough oral prescription drugs called cystic fibrosis transmem- brane conductance stop enzymes from digesting food prop- liver problems and colorectal cancer the poor quality of the mucus in the lungs causes bacteria not to be cleared therapies have focused on clearing the the lungs with inhaled medications or clearing the infection with antibiotics preventing infections through proper hygiene and immunizations is also be helpful too beyond all the medications and ther- found at cysticfibrosis.ca pharmacies in costco's quebec locations are independently owned and operated by pharmacists tors have been developed to fix the malfunctioning type of mutation causing help people who produce no cftr protein at all which makes up about 5% of those with cystic fibrosis.-lv