Jersey cystic fibrosis patients are now able to access an expensive “wonder drug” after health officials U-turned on an earlier decision to restrict its use.

Cystic fibrosis is a condition that causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system, meaning it can lead to a significantly shorter life expectancy for many sufferers.

A “groundbreaking” treatment called Kaftrio – which works by correcting a malfunctioning protein associated with a cystic fibrosis gene – was first made available to UK patients in 2020.

Since then, the license has expanded to include younger age groups and a wider range of genotypes.

The NHS said the drug significantly improves lung function, helping people with the condition to breathe more easily, thereby “enhancing their overall quality of life”.

In the UK, a month’s supply of Kaftrio costs £8,346 – or more than £100,000 per patient per year.

In 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE) said Kaftrio was not value for money and would not recommend it for routine use on the NHS.

This caused dismay among cystic fibrosis patients and their families.

In Jersey, Health Minister Tom Binet last year confirmed that he had asked the island’s Medicines Optimisation Committee – which decides on the use of new medicines – to take “another serious look” at approving Kaftrio for local cystic fibrosis patients carrying a specific gene mutation.

Following queries from Express, the Health Department has now confirmed that this review was successful.

Pictured: Health Minister Tom Binet asked for a review of the decision not to allow the drug to be used locally last year.

“The initial decision regarding the use of Kaftrio was successfully appealed through the appropriate clinical appeal process,” Chief Pharmacist Debbie O’Driscoll said.

Cystic fibrosis patients won’t automatically be entitled to receive the treatment, however.

“Prescribing decisions remain the responsibility of the consultant in charge of a patient’s care,” Ms O’Driscoll explained.

The Government has declined to confirm how many islanders had now been able to benefit from Kaftrio.

Officials also refused to confirm the overall cost, stating that this was “to protect patient confidentiality and the commercial sensitivities related to drug pricing”.