Battle for access to CF drug 'far from over' says Simon Harris
The health minister has moved to re-assure cystic fibrosis patients that they may still get access to a new drug - Orkambi.
While the drug has been ruled as too expensive, fresh negotiations with the manufacturer on price are to take place.
Yesterday the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics ruled that the €158,000 per year per patient for Orkambi was too expensive.
The clinical director of the organisation says the manufacturer got the price wrong.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin says this drug is a life-changer: “It is a condition that is very particular to Ireland, and the genetic makeup of Irish people.
“It’s a condition that we should be at the forefront of in terms of breaking new ground, new technology, new innovation.
Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald was critical of the attitude of some drug companies: “It is very important, indeed critical that drug companies do not hold countries to ransom in terms of pricing.
Health Minister Simon Harris moved to re-assure CF patients the drug may yet be available to them:
“This process is far from finished, there is significant work to do to negotiate on price, I want that negotiation to continue as a priority, I have conveyed my view on that to the HSE today.”
He also confirmed that patients on a trial of the drug will continue to receive it, while the negotiations are ongoing.
