27 July 2016 - NICE has rejected Vertex’s cystic fibrosis drug, Orkambi (lumacaftor+ivacaftor) for routine funding on the National Health Service in England – but the company has said it will fight to get the drug to patients.

In final guidance, the cost-effectiveness body rejected Orkambi in people aged 12 and over who have two copies of the F508del mutation.

Its £104,000 per year per patient price tag was too much for the NHS, said NICE, adding that even after a price reduction, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is around £218,000 per quality adjusted life year for Orkambi plus standard of care compared with standard of care alone.

Although NICE recognised Orkambi’s value in managing the disease, and wider benefits to society for people with cystic fibrosis, and their carers, it said the drug was too expensive for the NHS.

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