The Daily Express has been crusading for the NHS to strike a deal with US drugs giant Vertex for its family of CF treatments, including wonder drug Orkambi. Vertex had rejected the NHS's £500million five-year offer and the two sides have been locked in a stand-off for months. It is believed that 231 CF sufferers have died in the three years that Orkambi has been denied to UK patients.
Gemma Weir, mother of CF sufferer Ivy, 5, expressed her frustration (Image: STEVE REIGATE)
Yesterday, Meindert Boysen, of national drugs appraiser NICE, chaired a meeting with Vertex and NHS England.
Campaigners hoped the officials would swiftly negotiate an immediate, interim deal for the wonder drugs, then later iron out the details. But, instead, both NICE and NHS England yesterday issued the same statement.
It simply said: "Vertex, NICE and NHS England met today and have agreed to continue discussions."
Vertex official Rebecca Hunt told the Daily Express: "Vertex met with NHS England and NICE today and agreed to meet again to continue discussions.
The Daily Express has been urging the public to sign a petition (Image: Daily Express)
"Given the importance of confidentiality during these ongoing negotiations, we are unable to comment any further at this time."
Angry CF sufferers and their families, who had been anxiously awaiting news from the meeting, hit out at the lack of information.
Jen Banks, mother of CF-sufferer toddler Lorcan, said: "It's only people's lives
