Orkambi deal major milestone for Irish CF Community

                            - Drug will be made available from next month -

Local Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that the agreement reached in principle between the Department of Health and Virtex, the manufacturers of Orkambi, is welcome news for the hundreds of patients, and their families, who have long campaigned to get access to this ground-breaking drug.


“I first raised the need to introduce this drug in October 2015 and have since met with many of those who have campaigned heavily on this issue to do my absolute best in raising its importance,” added Deputy O’Brien.

“Cystic fibrosis is a hugely debilitating condition and Ireland has the highest prevalence of this disease in the world. Finally reaching an agreement on providing this drug means that many of those living with the condition will now extend and dramatically improve their quality of life.

“It may not work for every single patient living with CF but it will work for many and Cystic Fibrosis Ireland has been defiant in their belief that they deserve the chance to benefit from this drug.

“The announcement that this revolutionary drug will be made available is very important. We must be conscious also that many patients who have seen their health decline while waiting for this news must start treatment as soon as possible.

“Attention must now be brought to reducing the overall cost of similar, high tech drugs which may make a substantial difference to lives of other cohorts of patients,” concluded O’Brien.