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UK Prime Minister supports Translarna funding

Thu, 08 Sep 2016

There is new pressure on the Isle of Man health service to make the drug Translarna available on the NHS after the UK Prime Minister endorsed NHS England’s decision to make it available there.

A local child with the rare condition 'Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy’ has been refused access to the drug by Manx health officials as they deem it too costly to provide.

Seven-year-old Finley Hesketh suffers from the disease. He was guest of honour at the Power Station last night to switch on the lights turning the building lime green. Many other local buildings were illuminated to mark the World Awareness Day for the condition.

In PM’s Questions yesterday, Theresa May confirmed that the groundbreaking drug Translarna will be made available on the NHS in England.

The parents of Finley Hesketh are considering moving to England in the hope he can gain access to the drug as Isle of Man health officials do not consider it a priority.

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