Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and their families are celebrating after the Federal Government listed a drug on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) that will help treat some people with the genetic disease.

Health Minister Peter Dutton said the Government has approved the listing of ivacaftor, the first medicine to treat the underlying cause of CF in patients with a specific gene mutation.

It will be available from December for patients aged six and over with the G551F gene mutation and will be marketed as Kalydeco.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common life-threatening genetic condition affecting young people in Australia. 

It affects the lungs and digestive system, with patients struggling to breathe because of mucus clogging their lungs. There is currently no cure.

For more details, go to: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-26/cystic-fibrosis-patients-to-benefit-from-drug-listing/5842332