A FUND has been launched to improve access to treatment for people with rare medical conditions.

Health Secretary Alex Neil announced the £21million fund as the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) decided not to recommend cystic fibrosis drug Kalydeco for use in the NHS.

The drug was made available on the NHS in England this month.

The new fund will cover only the cost of medicines whose routine use has been rejected by the SMC.

Mr Neil said: "It is only right that Scottish patients with rare conditions have access to innovative medicines which are clinically justified and that they are not disadvantaged due to the high cost of these treatments.

"I am therefore pleased to confirm that the Scottish Govern-ment will establish a fund which will ensure the cost of successful new individual patient treatment requests for orphan medicines are met."

So-called orphan medicines are those that treat illnesses affecting fewer than one in every 2000 people.

Labour MSP James Kelly earlier demanded that Holyrood stands up for cystic fibrosis sufferers after it emerged the SMC refused Kalydeco's use on the NHS.

The member for Rutherglen said: "This decision is a blow to cystic fibrosis sufferers who need Kalydeco to provide much needed relief from their condition.

"It is unacceptable that the treatment is available in England but not in Scotland."

Mr Neil added: "We recognise that the SMC is globally respected but that for some patients with rare conditions, there is need for further support.

"This new fund will complement it by making the individual patient treatment request processes fairer."