Simon Harris to meet ministers in Lisbon as pressure grows for CF drug deal

Health Minister Simon Harris travels to Portugal today for a EU health ministers meeting on pharmaceutical drug costs amid growing pressure for him to cut a deal with a drug firm for a life-saving cystic fibrosis medication.

Yesterday, cystic fibrosis patients briefed dozens of TDs on how they would not be alive without the drug, while Fianna Fáil called for immediate action on the issue.

Due to an escalating stand-off between the Government and US-based pharmaceutical firm Vertex, seriously ill cystic fibrosis patients in Ireland are unable to receive a new drug called Orkambi.