The Health Service Executive has said it is disappointed with the level of meaningful engagement with the manufacturer of the drug Orkambi in lowering its price for Cystic Fibrosis patients.
The HSE and Vertex Pharmaceuticals entered price negotiations after the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics found Orkambi was unjustifiably expensive.
The NCPE said the manufacturer failed to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of Orkambi at €159,000 per patient per year.
The NCPE also said the drug was minimally effective, but Cystic Fibrosis Ireland has said the drug sustains people's health and slows their decline.
The HSE recently completed another round of negotiations with Vertex, and the HSE's Drug's Committee will make its recommendation on the cost-effectiveness of Orkambi to the HSE Directorate soon.
The HSE Directorate will then make a decision taking into consideration the manufacturer’s latest price offer.
