Dr Luke Evans the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Bosworth has welcomed the announcement that Orkambi and other lifesaving Cystic Fibrosis drugs will now be available in Bosworth on the NHS.
On Thursday, NHS England announced that it had secured an agreement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to make available all three of their UK-licensed cystic fibrosis medicines.
This means that NHS patients will now have full access to Orkambi, Symkevi and Kalydeco, benefiting around 5,000 people who may now take up these treatments.
There is no cap on patient numbers, so every patient in England who might benefit can now get these treatments, free on the NHS. Clinicians will be able to begin prescribing these drugs within 30 days.
This agreement was only possible thanks to our world leading life sciences sector and robust drug appraisals system, which means we can get lifesaving drugs at a fair price on the NHS.
Commenting, Dr Luke Evans said:
“As a GP, I see the devastating effect of Cystic Fibrosis, not only the person who has it but the family and friends who have to see their loved one suffering. Up until now the lack of medication has been problematic for those with this genetic condition. That’s why I am delighted with the announcement that thousands of patients will now have full access to Cystic Fibrosis treatment. Why is it so important? This drug slows the lung disease by 42%. This means a better and longer life for sufferers.
“It is times like these that you enter politics to make a real difference in people’s lives. You only have to see the reactions of sufferers on social media to the news that this Government secured a deal, to see why it is worth it. Because Boris Johnson and the Conservatives are delivering for the NHS – putting £33.9 billion more into frontline NHS services every year, we can expect more fantastic success stories like this in the future."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:
“We’ve agreed a deal to provide Orkambi and other lifesaving Cystic Fibrosis drugs on the NHS. The deal is great value for money for the NHS, and crucially, will improve thousands of lives.
“This deal – on the back of several others this summer – shows why we get some of the best value drugs in the world and is another reason to be so proud of our NHS.”