Cystic fibrosis 'wonder drug' Kaftrio to be made available in Wales
Watch ITV Cymru Wales reporter, Charanpreet Khaira's report on how this announcement could change the life of one nine-year-old girl
The Welsh Government has secured a deal for a so-called wonder drug which could be used to help people living with cystic fibrosis.
The medicine, Kaftrio, will soon be available on the NHS after Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething confirmed an agreement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
Drugs Orkambi and Symkevi have already been made available to cystic fibrosis patients in Wales after a long campaign for the drugs to be made available on the NHS. NHS England announced they had reached a deal to obtain the Kaftrio drug last month.
Mr Gething, said: “I’m pleased to confirm Kaftrio will be made available to all eligible patients in Wales. I know many families will welcome the news. I have always made it clear that new and innovative medicines should be made available quickly and consistently for patients in Wales but only where their cost fairly reflects the evidence of their benefits.
“The agreement reached with Vertex means that patients can begin to benefit from triple therapy treatment without delay when it becomes available in the UK in the coming weeks.”
Cystic fibrosis is a debilitating, life-shortening inherited condition that causes progressive damage to organs. More than 10,500 people in the UK have the condition and there is currently no cure.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust have welcomed the news and said the drug will "truly save lives."
“News of a deal between the Welsh Government and Vertex Pharmaceuticals is fantastic." said David Ramsden, Chief Executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. "Kaftrio will now be available to people across Wales in the coming weeks and will truly save lives. While this is a great moment, we will not stop until everyone with cystic fibrosis across the UK can truly live a life unlimited.”
Ludovic Fenaux, Senior Vice President of Vertex International said he's looking to finalise the contract as soon as possible.
“I’m pleased that we have been able to work quickly and in partnership with the authorities in Wales to come to the terms of an agreement that, once finalised, would provide patients in Wales access to Kaftrio in a combination regimen with ivacaftor, upon anticipated approval from the European Commission. We look forward to working with the authorities to finalise the contract as quickly as possible."