Menu
14/01/2022
Health Minister Confirms Extension To Use Of Cystic Fibrosis Treatment
Health Minister Robin Swann has announced that Kaftrio will be made available to suitable patients aged six years and older in Northern Ireland for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF).
Kaftrio was initially approved for use in Northern Ireland in 2020 following an agreement with its supplier Vertex Pharmaceuticals which gave access to people with CF over the age of 12 in line with a European-wide license. The recent extension means that clinically suitable children aged six and over can now benefit from Kaftrio.
Minister Swann said: "This decision will mean a great deal to the children with cystic fibrosis who are suitable for this treatment in Northern Ireland. This licence extension is included as part of the deal agreed with the supplier, Vertex in 2020. I am very pleased that this cutting-edge medicine will be available to more of our cystic fibrosis patient population and allow them to have a better quality of life."
The move applies to patients who have at least one F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and follows a recommendation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Providing and delivering Kaftrio to patients is a complex process. This triple combination treatment (Kaftrio) combines three drugs which perform different functions – ivacaftor, tezacaftor and elexacaftor. Therefore a number of different healthcare professionals will work together to ensure patients are managed properly.
The Minister added: "When a new treatment becomes available it is fully understandable that patients and families should want immediate access to it. However, not all patients aged six to 11 with cystic fibrosis will be suitable for treatment with Kaftrio, and not everyone can be seen immediately by the multi-disciplinary teams who need to make this determination. The Health Service is working hard to make this treatment available to those who can benefit as soon as possible and I would therefore ask you to continue to be patient and let the clinical teams prioritise those patients who are in most need to be seen first."
Kaftrio was initially approved for use in Northern Ireland in 2020 following an agreement with its supplier Vertex Pharmaceuticals which gave access to people with CF over the age of 12 in line with a European-wide license. The recent extension means that clinically suitable children aged six and over can now benefit from Kaftrio.
Minister Swann said: "This decision will mean a great deal to the children with cystic fibrosis who are suitable for this treatment in Northern Ireland. This licence extension is included as part of the deal agreed with the supplier, Vertex in 2020. I am very pleased that this cutting-edge medicine will be available to more of our cystic fibrosis patient population and allow them to have a better quality of life."
The move applies to patients who have at least one F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and follows a recommendation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Providing and delivering Kaftrio to patients is a complex process. This triple combination treatment (Kaftrio) combines three drugs which perform different functions – ivacaftor, tezacaftor and elexacaftor. Therefore a number of different healthcare professionals will work together to ensure patients are managed properly.
The Minister added: "When a new treatment becomes available it is fully understandable that patients and families should want immediate access to it. However, not all patients aged six to 11 with cystic fibrosis will be suitable for treatment with Kaftrio, and not everyone can be seen immediately by the multi-disciplinary teams who need to make this determination. The Health Service is working hard to make this treatment available to those who can benefit as soon as possible and I would therefore ask you to continue to be patient and let the clinical teams prioritise those patients who are in most need to be seen first."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 June 2014
Breakthrough In Cystic Fibrosis Study
A scientist from Queen's University Belfast has played a key role in the development of treatment for cystic fibrosis sufferers.
Breakthrough In Cystic Fibrosis Study
A scientist from Queen's University Belfast has played a key role in the development of treatment for cystic fibrosis sufferers.
05 November 2019
QUB Partakes In New Cystic Fibrosis Trial
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have been involved in ground-breaking research that holds promise for a vast majority of those with cystic fibrosis.
QUB Partakes In New Cystic Fibrosis Trial
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have been involved in ground-breaking research that holds promise for a vast majority of those with cystic fibrosis.
14 August 2024
Grand Central Construction Team To Raise Funds For Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Ten members of the construction team delivering Belfast Grand Central Station are to participate in a 48-hour cycling challenge to raise funds on behalf of Cystic Fibrosis Trust. The group of amateur cyclists from joint venture Farrans Sacyr, will set out from Glasgow on 21 September and aim to reach Fort William, 104 miles away, in just 48 hous.
Grand Central Construction Team To Raise Funds For Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Ten members of the construction team delivering Belfast Grand Central Station are to participate in a 48-hour cycling challenge to raise funds on behalf of Cystic Fibrosis Trust. The group of amateur cyclists from joint venture Farrans Sacyr, will set out from Glasgow on 21 September and aim to reach Fort William, 104 miles away, in just 48 hous.
26 January 2005
Funding secured for cystic fibrosis researchers
Cystic fibrosis researchers from Queen's University have won a share of a major £500,000 funding grant. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust was awarded £509,759 from the Big Lottery Fund to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young adults with the disease.
Funding secured for cystic fibrosis researchers
Cystic fibrosis researchers from Queen's University have won a share of a major £500,000 funding grant. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust was awarded £509,759 from the Big Lottery Fund to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young adults with the disease.
06 April 2023
Cancer Patients 'Cannot Wait' Any Longer For Stormont – SF
Patients on lists for cancer treatment cannot wait and called for the Executive to be restored now to cut chronic waiting lists, Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said.
Cancer Patients 'Cannot Wait' Any Longer For Stormont – SF
Patients on lists for cancer treatment cannot wait and called for the Executive to be restored now to cut chronic waiting lists, Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
