Kaftrio access for children
Deputy Carey asked when 35 children with cystic fibrosis will get access to Kaftrio after a long delay. The Tánaiste said the assessment framework is frustrating but objective, noted the company must engage, and said he wanted the children’s interests prioritised.
A cohort of 35 children aged between six and 11 with cystic fibrosis are desperately trying to gain access to the wonder-drug, Kaftrio. A health technology assessment started in December. This issue has gone on for more than a year and a half. When will these children and their families be able to get access to that drug?
Comment on this
I am familiar with this issue and have spoken to the Minister for Health on it. The Deputy will be aware of the framework governing this area which can be quite frustrating for the political system. However, it was designed to try to get as objective an assessment as possible. We had similar debates on Orkambi. Parents of children with cystic fibrosis say that Orkambi has had a huge impact and it is my instinct that the same would apply to Kaftrio. The company also needs to engage here. Between the agency and the company, I would like to think the interests of these 35 children would be prioritised to enable them to have access to this drug.