Written Question · S5W-10645 · Session 5
whether it will provide details of discussions that it has had with the Irish Government regarding the possible co-funding of the drug, Or…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of discussions that it has had with the Irish Government regarding the possible co-funding of the drug, Orkambi, for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, and what progress the NHS has made regarding establishing a so-called pipeline deal with the drug's manufacturer.
The answer
The deal between Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals is commercially confidential.
I wrote to Vertex Pharmaceuticals in March to encourage them to take forward discussions about the cost of Orkambi with colleagues in NHS National Services Scotland who are best placed to advise them on pricing approaches and a fair price that could support the securing of a positive recommendation from the Scottish Medicines Consortium for the prescribing of these products in NHS Scotland. Those talks are underway.
Through those discussions we hope that the manufacturer will make their best offer on price and indicate that they will re-submit an application for Orkambi to the SMC.
I wrote to Vertex Pharmaceuticals in March to encourage them to take forward discussions about the cost of Orkambi with colleagues in NHS National Services Scotland who are best placed to advise them on pricing approaches and a fair price that could support the securing of a positive recommendation from the Scottish Medicines Consortium for the prescribing of these products in NHS Scotland. Those talks are underway.
Through those discussions we hope that the manufacturer will make their best offer on price and indicate that they will re-submit an application for Orkambi to the SMC.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-10645 by reference.