Australian Panel Questions Cost of Vertex’s Combination Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis

An Australian healthcare costs advisory body has declined to recommend government coverage of Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) as a cystic fibrosis treatment given the expense of the therapy.

Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee said the medicine provided a significant benefit for some patients but that its cost-effectiveness has not been established.

Vertex has pledged to continue working with the committee to bring the combination therapy to patients as soon as possible.