Question reference: S6W-22774
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 8 November 2023
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Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 November 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) not to recommend Kaftrio for funding on the NHS, and what impact it considers this decision could have on patients with cystic fibrosis.
Answer
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is collaborating with the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) on a joint multiple technology appraisal (MTA) of cystic fibrosis (CF) medicines, including Kaftrio®. The NICE recommendations that were published on 3 November are draft and could change following the current consultation period.
Existing patients and new patients who are started on a CF medicine while the MTA is ongoing will continue to have access to the medicine after NICE and the SMC issue their final recommendations, irrespective of the outcome.
In addition, this week the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) extended the licence for Kaftrio and Kalydeco to include children aged two to five years old. This extension helps address the unmet needs of younger children with cystic fibrosis.