Written question WQ89611
- Asked by
- Natasha AsgharConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the recent decision by NICE not to recommend Kaftrio and other CFTR modulators for funding on the NHS, and of the impact this could have on people with cystic fibrosis in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is established to provide independent, expert and impartial advice on whether the benefits of new medicines are in sufficient balance with their costs to represent a cost effective use of NHS resources.
We rely on the expert advice of NICE as an internationally renowned health technology appraisal body. All medicines that have been recommended by NICE or AWMSG are routinely available in Wales where clinically appropriate.
On 3 November, NICE published draft guidance on the use of Kaftrio, Symkevi and Orkambi in which they did not recommend the use of these treatments because “the price offered by the manufacturer was substantially above the range NICE considers an acceptable use of NHS resources”. NICE will update its guidance following consultation which ends later this month. A decision by NICE not to recommend the use of these treatments will not affect anyone currently receiving them or anyone who commences treatment ahead of NICE’s final recommendation.