Life saving cystic fibrosis drugs could be made available in Channel Islands

Life-saving drugs for people with cystic fibrosis could soon be made available to people in the Channel Islands.

The UK's Health Minister Matt Hancock confirmed that the government had agreed a deal with pharmaceutical company Vertex - meaning they will be able to provide the drugs Orkambi, Symkevi and Kalydeco on the NHS.

As drugs in the Channel Islands are provided through an agreement with Department for Health, it means cystic fibrosis sufferers on the island could soon be able to access them.

Previously the drug cost more than £100,000 per year per patient.

As of yet, Jersey's government has not made any comment as to whether the drugs will be made available on the island.

However, Guernsey's Committee for Health and Social Care said it 'noted with interest' the announcement and was working to see whether or not the island could benefit.

If the drugs were made available, it could be a massive benefit for people like 16-year-old Emily Bray, who has cystic fibrosis.

16-year-old Emily Bray says it could mean she would spend less time travelling to the UK with healthcare professionals in the future. Credit: ITV Channel TV

She says it would save her trips to see specialists in the UK, as she will not be offered the same level of support on-island when she becomes an adult.

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