Scotland agrees deal for life-saving triple therapy

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The Scottish Government has announced a deal with Vertex Pharmaceuticals for access to life-saving medicine Kaftrio on the day it receives its European licence. 

The Scottish Government has announced a deal with Vertex Pharmaceuticals for access to life-saving medicine Kaftrio on the day it receives its European licence.

The deal gives access to Kaftrio for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) in Scotland aged 12 and over with two copies of the F508del mutation, or one copy of F508del and one copy of a 'minimal function mutation'.

Clinicians will also be free to start prescribing modulator therapies for certain patients with rare mutations covered by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s licensing decisions.

The announcement follows similar deals for access to Kaftrio in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, following a positive recommendation for the treatment by the European Medicines Agency in June. 

The deal is a big step in a long campaign for access to life-saving drugs, which the Trust has fought alongside the CF community.

With deals now in place in all four UK nations, around 90% of people with CF will be eligible for access to the life-changing treatment when it receives its European licence.

David Ramsden, Chief Executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: “It’s fantastic that the Scottish Government and Vertex Pharmaceuticals have agreed a deal on Kaftrio. Available to people across Scotland in the coming weeks, this new drug will truly save lives.

“While this is a special moment for people with cystic fibrosis in the four nations, there is more to do and we will not stop until everyone with cystic fibrosis across the UK has access to life-saving drugs.”

Shona Young, 25, from Glasgow, said: “Because of Kaftrio, my whole life is going to change. I will, for the first time, be able to plan ahead for a longer future. I’m overwhelmed and am so excited about the new possibilities this treatment will open up for me and for so many others with cystic fibrosis.

“Kaftrio is what we have all been waiting for and I couldn’t be more grateful that it exists.”

The Trust will continue to fight for everyone living with CF, regardless of their genotype. Donate now to support this vital work, and find out more about what licensing the triple therapy means for you.

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