Posted by Michael Wonder on 08 Mar 2019
Campaigners call for NHS access to Orkambi as MP inquiry gets underway
8 March 2019 - Patients and campaigners took to the streets in London yesterday demanding NHS access to Vertex’ cystic fibrosis drugs, following a public hearing on the situation ordered by MPs.
The Health and Select Committee is undertaking an inquiry into the lengthy negotiations between Vertex and NHS England on funding for the firm’s cystic fibrosis (CF) treatments, including Orkambi (lumacaftor/ivacaftor), as well as NICE’s assessment of their cost-effectiveness.
The parties have been in talks over provision of Vertex’ CF medicines since NICE first rejected Orkambi back in 2016, deeming it too expensive.
