I’m optimistic...drugs boss says NHS cystic fibrosis deal is closer
A PHARMACEUTICALS boss was last night “optimistic” he can soon seal an NHS deal for his life-saving cystic fibrosis medicines.
The Daily Express has long been battling for an NHS deal with US drugs giant Vertex, for its CF wonder medicines Orkambi and Symkevi.
NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens told MPs this week that “intensive” talks have left them on the “verge” of a deal.
Now – as Vertex unveiled new drug Trikafta, which tackles the root causes of CF – CEO Dr Jeff Leiden said they were close to a UK agreement.
Speaking to US media, Dr Leiden said: “It’s very important we provide access to these drugs for all eligible patients, otherwise there is no reason to discover them.
“Last month we have new agreements in Australia, in Spain and Scotland, providing the drug to many thousands more patients.
“In terms of the English situation, our talks have really intensified considerably over the last month.
“I am quite optimistic we’ll be able to reach an agreement to our first three approved drugs (Kalydeco, Orkambi and Symkevi) and ultimately Trikafta.”
Last night CF-sufferer Carlie Pleasant, 29 – who has quizzed Health
Secretary Matt Hancock and Dr Leiden face-to-face – was delighted.
Carlie, a mother of one from Sittingbourne, Kent, said: “I feel more optimistic a deal may soon be secured after hearing Dr Leiden speak.
“This comes just six weeks after I personally had a Skype meeting with him and a couple of months after I met Mr Hancock.
“Talks seem to have escalated quickly since the Daily Express campaign has gathered speed.
“I cannot put into words how this would change my life. I hope these plans turn into concrete arrangements and soon.” On Tuesday, Mr Stevens told the health select committee: “The negotiations have intensified in recent times. I’m increasingly confident we should be able to announce an agreement quite shortly.”
Asked if the deadlock had really shifted, he said: “We haven’t ever been on the verge [of a deal] before.”
Vertex’s new Trikafta drug was this week approved by drug appraisers in the US and will hopefully soon be passed by European regulators.
Nicknamed the “Triple Therapy”, Trikafta will treat around 90 per cent of CF-sufferers and has performed very well in clinical trials.
One patient on Trikafta for a year saw his near-breathless lung function of just 30 per cent rocket to a staggering 90 per cent.
Dr Steven Rowe, of the University of Alabama’s Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, described the drug as “a historic moment in cystic fibrosis care”.
Dr Leiden – who earns a £14.8million basic salary – has repeatedly snubbed our requests for an interview.