On the 12th of January 2022, the NHS announced a potential miracle treatment for Cystic Fibrosis. They have stated that this treatment has already been life changing for the thousands of individuals living with this disease within the UK.
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that progresses throughout a person’s lifetime. As a result, someone suffering from this disease will experience persistent lung infections. These infections cause their ability to breathe to becoming increasingly limited over time.
England has the second highest number of people living with this condition in the world. This statistic highlights the vital importance of the landmark deal recently achieved by the NHS, in June of 2020, for Kaftrio. Kaftrio was already being used and having benefits for patients around the European Union. It is known to significantly improve lung function which enables people suffering from Cystic Fibrosis to breathe more easily. This radically improves the living quality for those living with this disease who access to Kaftrio.
There are over seven thousand people within England who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis. Since this deal was made by the NHS in 2020, many of these individuals will benefit from Kaftrio. This treatment has the ability to challenge the underlying causes of this disease as well as its common symptoms. It has been described as revolutionary. The triple combination treatment, resulting from the three drugs that form Kaftrio, effectively tackle different elements of Cystic Fibrosis supporting the patients lung function and ability to breathe.
Previously, Kaftrio was only available for people aged twelve and over. There are almost seven hundred children in the UK suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. These children were unable to experience the benefits of Kaftrio due to these licensing laws. This has recently been altered and now children as young as six can be prescribed Kaftrio. This is a life changing opportunity for these children who, for the first time, will be taking a new generation of Cystic Fibrosis drugs.
