Simon Harris moves to assuage fears over funding of drug

Cystic fibrosis campaigners have expressed dismay and anger after it emerged that a drug labelled a “game-changer” may not be funded by the HSE.

Reports emerged yesterday that the HSE is set to reject Orkambi after the HSE’s drugs committee unanimously recommended against funding its purchase, deeming it did not deliver sufficient benefits to justify its €159,000 annual cost.

Minister for Health Simon Harris stepped in to reassure CF patients that the HSE had not concluded its assessment process, and told patients: “I do not see this as the end of the process.”