Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the NICE press release of 17 June 2016, entitled Cost of cystic fibrosis treatment too high for benefit offered, if his Department will meet with NICE to discuss NICE's decision on the provision on the NHS of Orkambi for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

There are no plans to meet with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to discuss its technology appraisal guidance on Orkambi (lumacaftor-ivacaftor) for treating cystic fibrosis homozygous for the F508del mutation.

NICE is the independent body which makes decisions on the clinical and cost effectiveness of products based on thorough assessment of the best available evidence. NICE’s guidance is based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and is developed through wide consultation with stakeholders.