Vertex’ new CF drugs may significantly increase US pharmacy benefit costs; report

Ground-breaking new cystic fibrosis treatments, that target the gene mutations causing the disease, will significantly increase health care costs in the USA, new research indicates.

This is the finding of new research by pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting multiple organ systems, most importantly the lungs and airways. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the USA have the disease, which can lead to life-threatening lung infections and the inability to absorb nutrients from food. Some individuals may need a lung transplant because of progressive damage to the lungs.