The Minister for Health says discussions will continue to see whether a landmark drug to treat Cystic Fibrosis could still be covered by the HSE.

Sufferers and campaigners say the drug, Orkambi, can be life-saving in some cases and should be covered by the state.

The National Centre for PharmaEconomics yesterday ruled that while the drug has positive effects, the cost cited by suppliers - of €158,000 per patient per year - is too high.

Simon Harris says patients who were already receiving the drug on a trial basis will continue to receive it.

But he says discussions with the manufacturer to renegotiate the price will continue - and that he wants to re-assure CF patients that Orkambi hasn't been ruled out: