Awareness and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

That this House recognises the difficulties experienced by people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); expresses concern at the lack of awareness of the condition which often results in delayed diagnoses; notes that while IPF is currently incurable, the medicines Pirfenidone and Nintedanib have been proven to slow down the progression of the condition; regrets that these medicines are only available to patients once the condition has already reduced their forced vital capacity (FVC) to between 50 and 80 per cent of the expected value; welcomes NICE’s re-evaluation of the FVC criteria for treatment; and calls on the Government to improve treatment and care for those with IPF, including by raising awareness of the condition to encourage early diagnosis.