Manchester Withington MP Jeff Smith has signed a cross-party letter to the Prime Minister calling on her to act and end the wait for the life-saving drugs Orkambi for thousands living with cystic fibrosis.

Orkambi is a life-changing medicine that would benefit around half of people with cystic fibrosis in the UK. It has been shown to slow decline in lung function by 42% and cut the number of infections requiring hospitalisation by 61%.

Speaking about the campaign, Jeff said:

“I am backing the Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s campaign which calls for access to lifesaving drugs for those with Cystic Fibrosis.

It has now been a year since Theresa May said she was keen to see a ‘speedy resolution’ in the ongoing dialogue between NHS England and the drug manufacturer Vertex. Yet, the wait goes on.

Access to Orkambi on the NHS would give patients not only more control over their lives but a better quality of life. We need to see this drug made available now.”