I have a future on Orkambi... it’s not fair that others don’t
ONE of the few British CF sufferers who gets Orkambi said yesterday it was “not fair” that others do not have the life-saving treatment.
Jessica Cranfield-Smith, 18, of Tadworth, Surrey, told how she was granted the wonder drug on “compassionate grounds” by Vertex after she become gravely ill and her lung capacity deteriorated to 33 per cent.
The A-level student said she had “definitely” seen an improvement since receiving the drug from the US pharmaceutical firm at the end of 2017. Her lung capacity has risen to 47 per cent.
Speaking at the protest alongside her mum Sharon Cranfield and fellow campaigner Alison Dillon, Jessica told the Daily Express: “It’s not fair how no one else is allowed on Orkambi, unless you get so sick.
“I’ve got a lot of lung damage and I’m never going back to normal, but at least I can now live my life a bit better.”
Sharon, 53, pleaded with Vertex to give her daughter access to the drug at the heart of the deadlock between Vertex and NHS England.
After receiving Orkambi, Jessica was well enough to study for two A-levels.
She hasn’t decided on her career plans, but she added: “At least I have a future now”.
Jessica said it was “amazing” how many people had shown up to the protest.