Carlie's Cystic Fibrosis breakthrough as Government approves life-extending drug

  • Video report contains interview with Carlie, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock MP and Rebecca Cosgriff from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust

A mother from Sittingbourne is one of thousands of people with Cystic Fibrosis celebrating after a life-extending drug was approved on the NHS.

Carlie Pleasant received a call this morning from Health Secretary Matt Hancock who gave her a life line, confirming that Orkambi will now be prescribed by doctors within the next few weeks.

Carlie Pleasant has every reason to celebrate Credit:

Orkambi is drug which can extend the lives of people with cystic fibrosis – when currently half of those with the condition are only expected to live until their 40.

Campaigners marching in London earlier this year Credit: ITV Meridian

It's taken a long time to get to this point for Carlie and hundreds of other cystic fibrosis campaigners who – for last four years – have been fighting for their futures.All while the US drug company Vertex and NHS battled over making Orkambi free on the NHS.

The health secretary said he is "absolutely delighted" NHS England and Vertex have been able to come to "a good deal".

He added: "Crucially this will help people with cystic fibrosis to live longer."

Whilst Mr Hancock wouldn't reveal the cost of the deal to the taxpayer, NHS England said: "Vertex has now agreed a deal that is good for our patients and fair to British taxpayers."