Kaftrio 35 Update

16 January 2023 

The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) for Kaftrio is well underway and the NCPE website has been updated. This is to be welcomed. CFI is continuing to urge that the outcome of this HTA process is completed as rapidly as possible. We understand that the HTA is being given priority, as promised by the HSE before Christmas, but this will take some further time to complete. We will let you know of any news as soon as we hear. 

Once the NCPE has completed its HTA, it will then be up to the HSE to make the final decision. The NCPE does not have this power to approve Kaftrio. In the case of Kalydeco in 2013 (the first CFTR drug), the HTA was negative (because of price) but the HSE approved Kalydeco shortly after the HTA because they recognised the very considerable benefits of Kalydeco to patients with CF (about 10% of the CF population).

CFI will shortly complete and will publish our submission to the NCPE. Thanks for everyone's participation. We will keep you up to date on further developments (positive or negative), but it looks like we are finally on the path to a positive resolution of this dispute. We will continue to keep up the pressure in the meantime, including continuing to seek immediate interim access.