STEPHEN CRABB has blasted the Welsh Government for not doing enough to help Cystic Fibrosis suffers in Wales.

We are now the only British nation where pioneering cystic fibrosis medicines are not available, the MP said.

But the Health Minister for Wales says a meeting between officials in Cardiff Bay and the drug firm is expected to take place next week.

Patients are calling for a potentially life saving drug to be made available on the NHS after it was approved in England.

Campaigners want Cardiff to provide the drug on the NHS, but there is a concern over costs.

This follows the news that the UK Government has secured and agreement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to make available all three cystic fibrosis medicines for English patients, disappointing Welsh patients, as they are the only patients unable to get the medicine in Britain.

In September, an agreement was reached between the Scottish Government and Vertex allowing the drugs to help patients.

However in Wales, no agreement has yet been reached with the Welsh Government.

Stephen Crabb MP said: “It is unacceptable that cystic fibrosis sufferers in Wales are not able to have the same treatment as their English or Scottish counterparts, thanks to the Welsh Government.

“Too often constituents tell me that treatment for a range of illnesses and diseases are not available in Wales, but they are available in England. That is the legacy of 20 years of Labour running the Welsh NHS.”there is a concern over the cost.

The drug, named Orkambi, is described as a “precision medicine” and it treats the underlying genetic mutation of cystic fibrosis. Traditional medicines only treat the symptoms.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition which affects around one in every 2,500 babies born, with around 1,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. The condition causes the body to produce thick mucus, which affects the lungs and digestive system in particular.

Wales’ health minister Vaughan Gething issued a statement to Assembly Members saying Welsh Government officials were in talks with representatives from pharmaceutical firm Vertex.

He told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “I can confirm that Vertex are engaging constructively with Welsh Government officials with a view to brokering an equivalent arrangement to benefit patients in Wales.

“My position has always been that new and innovative medicines should be made available quickly and consistently for patients in Wales but only where their cost fairly reflects the evidence of their benefits.. I can confirm that Vertex are engaging constructively with Welsh Government officials with a view to brokering an equivalent arrangement to benefit patients in Wales.

“My position has always been that new and innovative medicines should be made available quickly and consistently for patients in Wales but only where their cost fairly reflects the evidence of their benefits.”

“My officials have been working alongside NHS England during these negotiations and, as a result, the legal agreement reached includes a requirement that Vertex must make equivalent terms available to the NHS in Wales.”

Mr Gething added: “I will ensure Assembly Members are updated when further details are available.”