‘Kaftrio will change my life...sufferers must have it now’

Lucky but angry...Lee Punyer

LEE Punyer is delighted to be getting CF wonder drug Kaftrio – but furious that it is not available to sufferers in England.

The father of two, 48, has a very rare CF gene mutation which has not yet been approved for Katrio use in England.

Lee counts himself lucky to live in Bridgend because Welsh health chiefs have taken a far more general and immediate approach.

Telecoms worker Lee, a former soldier in the Royal Corps of Signals, has been told by his medical team he is just weeks away from getting his first Kaftrio pills.

But the news also fills Lee with anger that his CF friends in England are being denied the life-saving medication.

After being told by his doctor: “If you lived in England you would not get it – but in Wales you will,” Lee said: “I’m dumbfounded by England’s attitude. It’s disgraceful. How can

Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland all take one generous stance and England be so rigid and uncaring?

“People could die waiting for this treatment just because NHS England are waiting for some unnecessary EU red tape.

“Everybody in the UK suitable to take Kaftrio should be on it.

“It’s a life-saving drug – and it could be saving lives now.”

Diagnosed with CF at 15, Lee now suffers from severe tiredness and Kaftrio will boost his energy levels massively.

He said: “I can sleep anywhere, any time. It just comes over me. To have extra energy is my number one goal.

“As you get older you start to look at your life differently and I am so grateful Kaftrio will soon be a part of that life.

“Now I just want to fight for others in England with rare mutations to make sure they also get it as soon as possible.”

Proud...Lee in his Army days