Funding for medication to treat children with Cystic Fibrosis

The Minister for Health, Simon Harris has welcomed the announcement today by Vertex Pharmaceuticals that it has received EU approval for ORKAMBI in children with Cystic Fibrosis aged six to 11.

ORKAMBI is already licenced in patients aged 12 years and over and is currently reimbursed in Ireland.

Minister Harris said "It's good news for CF patients that Orkambi will soon be available to younger children too after EU approval.

We ensured this age group was included in the agreement that Vertex agreed in 2017, subject to market authorisation in Europe."

The HSE will be putting in place the necessary reimbursement arrangements over the coming weeks for this age group.