I am absolutely delighted that the Health Secretary has announced today that NHS England has secured agreement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to make available all three of their UK-licensed cystic fibrosis medicines. I have a number of constituents whose children are CF sufferers, and who have campaigned tirelessly and bravely for this outcome; I am so pleased for them!

This agreement means NHS patients will now have full access to Orkambi, Symkevi and Kalydeco, and around 5000 people may now take up these treatments. There is no cap on patient numbers, and each and every patient in England who might benefit can now get these treatments, free on the NHS. Clinicians will be able to begin prescribing these drugs within 30 days.

This is a life-saving achievement and, on behalf of all my constituents living with cystic fibrosis, I would like to thank everyone who has campaigned for this to happen, as well as to Vertex and the NHS for reaching an agreement. It also wouldn’t have happened without the personal efforts of Matt Hancock, and his determination to see this through.