Posted by Michael Wonder on 04 Aug 2020
Trikafta manufacturer to fast track application to have 'miracle' cystic fibrosis drug funded in New Zealand
4 August 2020 - The miracle drug Trikafta is a step closer for New Zealanders living with cystic fibrosis, after its US manufacturer announced it will fast-track an application to have it funded here.
It comes after 17-year-old Bella Powell and other sufferers made a desperate plea for the drug to be made accessible.
"There are more than 500 Kiwis with cystic fibrosis that this could benefit and then you've got to think about the babies being born with this - if they can have this [drug] they're not going to go through some of the struggles I have because my lung function started declining when I was 12," Powell told The AM Show on Monday.
Not subsidised by state drug-buyer Pharmac, Trikafta is owned by US company Vertex and has set its price tag at $469,000 per year.
