BRIEF—Vertex wins reimbursement in Australia for Orkambi

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has agreed a deal with the Australian government to allow for reimbursement of Orkambi (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) for certain patients aged six and over with cystic fibrosis.

The therapy will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 October.

The product was cleared by the country's cost-effectiveness watchdog in August. As part of the deal, a “pathway to access” for a future cystic fibrosis product, tezacaftor/ivacaftor, has been established.

Vertex’s Symdeko (tezacaftor/ivacaftor) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration earlier this year.