Family joy as children can now get CF wonder drug from age two

PARENTS of young children with cystic fibrosis were celebrating yesterday after health chiefs approved the use of a life-changing wonder drug.

- Chris Riches

The announcement will allow 600 more youngsters to access the "game-changer" treatment Kaftrio.

In 2019, after a major Daily Express campaign, a deal was struck with US pharmaceutical giant Vertex to get its CF drugs Orkambi, Symkevi and Kaftrio on the NHS.

Until yesterday, Kaftrio was only licensed in the UK for those aged six and over. But now children aged two and above can access it on the NHS as part of the 2019 agreement. Experts have labelled Kaftrio as "almost a cure" for CF.

Yet amid the joy, babies and generations of CF sufferers yet to come could miss out on the wonder pill after draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence branded it too costly for new patients.

However, campaigners hope Nice will change its mind by the time it gives a final recommendation.