Congratulations to CF patients in England - 
Kaftrio on its way, once final EMA approval is given 

Hopefully Northern Ireland to follow soon

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland has just learned that the National Health Service England (NHS) has issued a joint statement that eligible patients in England with CF will be able to be prescribed Kaftrio/Trikafta as soon as its approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). This places England in the same category as Ireland, Denmark and Germany for the earliest possible access to this ground-breaking drug in Europe. 

This development has some echoes of the portfolio deal negotiated in Ireland in 2017 between the HSE and Vertex. This may well be a 'first' for a drug therapy in England. It means that the NICE (the equivalent to the NCPE) will not be required to undertake a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) before Kaftrio is reimbursed at a national level in England. This is likely a major departure on previous approaches for hi tech/expensive drugs, as was the case in Ireland. Like Ireland there were of course robust negotiations with Vertex. 

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland knows there are Irish citizens in England and other parts of the UK with cystic fibrosis that stand to directly benefit from this important development. We very much hope there will be similar announcement for Northern Ireland and indeed, Scotland and Wales in the next few days/weeks.

Many congratulations for the tireless work of our esteemed colleagues in the UK Cystic Fibrosis Trust, led by David Ramsden. 

Philip Watt
CEO, CFI