Life-extending cystic fibrosis drugs will be available on the NHS next month after a deal was struck following four years of deadlock over their price tag.
City MP, Stephen Morgan has joined those he has long been campaigning alongside in celebrating today’s news.
Mr Morgan said:
“Today’s ground-breaking news that vital lifesaving Cystic Fibrosis drugs have been given the green light will be received ecstatically by those who have been dealing with the life-threatening condition.
People such as Ivy and her mum Gemma Weir, who I have been absolutely honored to have worked alongside in raising awareness of the necessity for Vertex and NHS England to reach a deal.
Together with Ivy from Portsmouth, I have written out to every MP in Parliament, spoken in debates, attended meetings with the pharmaceutical company and written to the Health Secretary. This is a demonstration that tenacity, dedication and relentless work put in by the people affected most can force big decisions at the top. This decision is long overdue from this Government, and while Ministers have taken far too long over this, today’s announcement is a victory for people’s power.
I would like to congratulate Ivy and Gemma on their success and am delighted for the 5,000 UK people now able to see the light at the end of what has previously been a very dark tunnel.”
Up to 5,000 patients in England will benefit from three £104,000-a-year pills after the deal with Boston-based maker Vertex. All three drugs, Orkambi, Symkevi and Kalydeco, slow the decline of lung function – the main cause of death in cystic fibrosis.
Negotiations had been at a standstill since Vertex this year rejected an offer of £500million over five years for access to the drug, the reason behind the Portsmouth representatives work with local activist Ivy and Gemma Weir.
Mr Morgan said:
“Ivy, Gemma and other activist have fought tooth and nail, often when no end was in sight, to get to where they are today. We have pioneered social media campaigners together, incessantly grilled the Health Secretary and his Ministers and lobbied vertex hard over these changes.
I am delighted that our efforts have been successful and this is a testament to the fact that people power prevails.”
