Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of using a Crown licence obtain the drug Orkambi at an affordable price.

It is right that patients should have access to cost-effective, innovative medicines at a price that is affordable to the National Health Service. As explained in the adjournment debate on 4 February, the Government is clear Crown Use is not a quick or easy solution but it is important we consider all options.

The manufacturer, Vertex, needs to agree the very generous offer that has been made so that patients who need Orkambi are able to access it on the NHS. This is in the best interests of patients.