Cystic Fibrosis Care is delighted that the NHS will fund Orkambi drug treatment
- Up to 5,000 patients in England will benefit from the life extending medication
- It slows the decline of lung function and will be available to them within 30 days
- Deal, thought to be in excess of £500m, gives NHS access to drugs for five years
Up to 5,000 patients in England will benefit from three £104,000-a-year pills after the deal with Boston-based maker Vertex.
The deal is thought to be in excess of half a billion pounds and gives NHS England access to the medication for five years.
All three drugs, Orkambi, Symkevi and Kalydeco slow the decline of lung function – the main cause of death in cystic fibrosis.
Patricia Kilpatrick, Director of Cystic Fibrosis Care said “this is wonderful news. Cystic Fibrosis Care are delighted to hear NHS England have agreed a deal with Vertex Pharmaceuticals at long last to offer the drug Orkambi along with two others Symkevi and Kalydeco which will help to improve lung function, breathing difficulties and improve life expectancy for many children and adults with Cystic Fibrosis. This will help around 50% of patients in England who have the double Delta F508 mutation. So many parents have been involved and should be congratulated on the constant campaigning and pressure put on NHS England the government to make this happen.’