Medicine reduces hospitalizations in the SUS due to cystic fibrosis by up to 85%

Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that, currently, more than 2,400 patients use the therapy in the public system. In the private network, a box of medication, according to the ministry, costs, on average, R$ 194.5 thousand. Treatment can cost R$ 2.5 million per patient per year.

The numbers show that the drug also reduced the need for home oxygen therapy for people with cystic fibrosis by up to 91.6%.

An average increase of 10 to 14 points in lung function was also observed; reduction of cycles of inflammation and infection; 66.7% decrease in the use of systemic antibiotics; and consistent benefits in nutritional status.

In a note, the ministry reported that the study was carried out over a year and evaluated 647 people, including children, adolescents and adults, undergoing treatment with the triple modulating therapy elexacaftor, tezacaftor and ivacaftor or Trikafta. Monitoring was carried out in 39 reference centers in Brazil.

The medicine can be collected from high-cost pharmacies by presenting a medical prescription duly issued and stamped by a specialist doctor. Trikafta is administered at home, orally, following treatment guidelines according to each person's clinical condition.

Disease

Cystic fibrosis is a rare hereditary genetic disease that causes the body to produce very thick and sticky mucus, which clogs the lungs and digestive system, causing constant coughing, respiratory infections and difficulty digesting food and gaining weight.