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Cystic fibrosis drug decision

Health Minister Mark Drakeford says the cystic fibrosis drug ivacaftor (Kalydeco)) will be made available in Wales. It follows protests after a strategy group recommended the drug should not be made available due to cost.

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No £180,000 drug for Welsh cystic fibrosis patients

Protestors outside The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny where the decision was made not to recommend a drug for cystic fibrosis patients.

Families and supporters of those who have cystic fibrosis have spoken of their distress after a decision was made today not to recommend a drug that can increase the quality and life expectancy of those with a certain mutation.

The All Wales Medicines Strategy Group voted not to recommend Kalydreco be given to cystic fibrosis patients aged 6 or over.

One reason given was cost-effectiveness had not been proven. It's reported the drug costs £180,000 every year for a patient to receive the treatment.

One couple told ITV Wales that they may contemplate leaving Wales as the drug is available free in the rest of the UK. The Health Minister Mark Drakeford will have the final say on whether the drug will be introduced here.

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