Posted by Michael Wonder on 20 Jul 2018
Orkambi: drug's maker says NHS 'undervalues' patient lives
20 July 2018 - NICE has ruled the price of the drug is too high, but the firm that makes it says the NHS is already asking for a huge discount.
The manufacturer of a groundbreaking cystic fibrosis drug has accused the NHS of "undervaluing" the lives of patients after failing to reach a supply deal.
Vertex has been accused of blackmail by MPs after its chief executive wrote to the prime minister suggesting he might reduce investment in the UK if the drug was not made available on the NHS.
Orkambi's list price is £104,000 per-patient per-year, and Vertex says the NHS offer is worth just £14,000 per head. The NHS has also proposed including two drugs in development in the deal.
