Posted by Michael Wonder on 20 Mar 2018
Row over CF drug funding as NHS rejects Vertex offer
19 March 2018 - A deal covering new cystic fibrosis drugs is unlikely to happen unless the manufacturer Vertex agrees to drop its prices, NHS England has indicated.
Vertex is seeking a deal to fund national access in England to its cystic fibrosis drug, Orkambi (lumacaftor with ivacaftor), a combination which extends the number of CF whose underlying disease can be treated.
Over the last 12 months NHS England has taken a lead role in negotiating directly with pharma companies, and has created a dedicated Commercial Medicines Unit for the task. Faced with static NHS budgets and growing budget pressure, it is taking a harder line on prices, but also says it is willing to negotiate deals based on outcomes.
