THE parents of a Carlisle girl dependant on a crucial drug to prolong her life have said they are ‘seriously considering’ moving to Scotland to access it.

Dave Louden, father of four-year-old Ayda - who has cystic fibrosis - issued a rallying plea to make it accessible in England after news of the life-saving drug she needs is now available to Scottish patients.

Last week, the Scottish Government agreed a deal with the manufacturer of Orkambi, the cystic fibrosis drug that NHS England has deemed to be unaffordable for patients south of the border.

While Scottish officials have not shared details of the price they have agreed to pay to treat the 350 patients eligible for the drug, in England, there are more than 10,000 adults and children who could benefit from the vital medication.

Previously, NHS England offered a sum of £500m over five years for Orkambi and other upcoming cystic fibrosis drugs, but American-based manufacturer Vertex turned that down.

As the positive news was celebrated in Scotland, campaigners like Dave are hopeful patients in England will be next in line to benefit from having access to the drug.

Speaking to the News & Star after the landmark announcement for Scots sufferers, Dave shared his heartbreak and frustration on behalf of his daughter and other sufferers.

He said: “I’m over the moon that full access has been made available for all patients who can benefit from the two drugs in Scotland.

“It’s the biggest leap forward yet that has come from the relentless campaigning of cystic fibrosis sufferers and desperate parents, family members, friends and the public.

“Myself and my family must now seriously consider the move across the border to Scotland as these drugs are and will be a crucial factor in Ayda’s health.

“I would much prefer that a deal be struck with the NHS in England to prevent such drastic measures to have to be taken.

“It would be a lot of change and upheaval, not only for Ayda, but for her brother Alfie and the rest of our family who we rely heavily on for support, but ultimately we may be left with no other option.

“Ayda’s cystic fibrosis is a volatile condition, we are only to aware that it only takes one bad infection for these drugs to become her only lifeline.

“We are lucky to have the advantage of living so close to the border and that making the switch for us would be easier than many other families across England, Wales and Northern Ireland who will also now be considering the move to Scotland.

“It is still heartbreaking and frustrating knowing that these drugs are literally now so close, yet so far from Ayda herself having access to them.”

Dave voiced his ‘refreshed hope’ that the news will push the campaign in England towards a positive result.

“It’s a conclusion I hope that will make Orkambi, Symkevi and the future drug Elexacaftor available without delay on the NHS.

“At the very least, this is a defining point that if NHS England can still not strike a deal even when Scotland can, that they must now take the alternative measures of looking to import the generic version of these drugs.

“They cannot allow for a postcode lottery between the home nations where some people with cystic fibrosis are treated and others are not.”