NHS patients among first for cystic fibrosis treatment

Sir Simon Stevens has announced that NHS patients in England will be some of the first people in Europe to benefit from a new treatment for cystic fibrosis.

Three in five patients with the deadly genetic condition could benefit from the ‘triple combination’ treatment produced by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, meaning that nine out of 10 patients with cystic fibrosis – more than 7,000 people – will now benefit from a therapy which tackles the underlying causes of the disease, by helping the lungs work effectively.

NHS England says that the landmark deal, negotiated ahead of a licence being granted by the European Medicines Agency, will enable cliniciansto start prescribing the triple treatment to English patients as soon as the licence is finally granted, in the coming weeks.

NHS England recently announced that thousands of people with the condition will receive devices allowing medics to monitor their condition remotely, as part of the NHS drive to give more people connected, supported and personalised care in their own homes, saving them from having to make trips to hospital.

Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “This is a potentially transformational treatment for cystic fibrosis, and I am proud that, thanks to this landmark deal, NHS patients will be among the first in Europe to benefit. Staff have pulled out all of the stops to provide specialist hospital care to 100,000 patients with Covid-19 and countless others with the virus, but they have also been working round the clock to help those needing urgent care or with serious long-term conditions such as cystic fibrosis.

“The triple therapy is the latest improvement in care which will help thousands of people with CF lead longer, healthier lives and shows once again that where drug companies are prepared to work flexibly with the NHS we can deliver life-changing medicines.”

David Ramsden, chief executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: “It is fantastic news that a deal has been done between NHS England and Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Kaftrio will now be available to thousands of people across England in the coming weeks. This will truly save lives. This is a great day, but we know that there is more to do and we will not stop until everyone with cystic fibrosis across the UK has access to life saving drugs.”

In negotiating the deal, NHS England has also ensured that Vertex will offer equivalent terms for cystic fibrosis patients in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland should those devolved administrations wish to adopt them.