A LIFE-CHANGING drug for people with Morquio Syndrome - like Otley schoolboy Sam Brown - has finally been approved by health regulators.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has reached an agreement with drug manufacturer BioMarin and NHS England to provide Vimizim to patients with the ultra-rare, degenerative condition.
The breakthrough - seven year old Sam and others like him have been waiting more than a year for a decision - means patients will be able to have the treatment after they have been assessed under a Managed Access Agreement.
The news follows an announcement in Scotland last week that approval for reimbursement of Vimizim had been given to four children by their local health boards, which are approving it on a case by case basis.

Sam's mother Katy, posting her response on the Keep Sam Smiling Facebook page, said: "Brilliant news. NICE have finally said yes, recommending Vimizim at long last.
"This comes, as you might expect, with some caveats - a two week consultation period where objections can be raised, and a managed access scheme, which will set out criteria that patients will have to meet in order to start / continue treatment.
"However for now I'm going to concentrate on what has been achieved today.
"Vimizim will soon be paid for by the NHS. Sufferers not part of the clinical trial will soon have access to it.
"This is amazing after everything we've experienced over the past year!
"Thank you to every single one of you for your incredible support, your letters, your petition signatures.
"Without you we could not have achieved the milestone that we have.
"Thanks too to Greg Mulholland, who for me epitomises what it is to be a great MP - he has been by our side every step of the way, going above and beyond with dogged determination, and a refusal to give up until victory has beenachieved.
"Lastly thank you to the MPS Society.
"Your support to us has been unwavering, and your dedication to the Vimizim campaign has been incredible."
Chief Executive for the Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases, Christine Lavery, said: "We are delighted by today’s announcement that NICE have made a positive final decision but recognise this Managed Access Agreement being the only way forward for patients, and to avoid a 'no' from NICE.
"The MPS Society has worked hard with all involved to ensure its sign off.
"It is hopefully only a short matter of time before Wales and Northern Ireland will, alongside England and Scotland, approve access to Vimizim.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported the society and our members, in particular Greg Mulholland MP (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) who has led the campaign tirelessly, but also to the many other MPs who have beensupporting their constituents and the Morquio community.
"It is hard to comprehend what these patients and their families have been through over the last 18 months and we are relieved that individuals who were not on the clinical trial will soon be receiving their first infusion."
Mr Mulholland has been campaigning hard with Sam and his parents, Katy and Simon, to get funding for Vimizim and drugs for other ultra-rare diseases. Posting on Twitter, he said: "Fantastic news from @nhsengland, people with #MorquioDisease set to receive #Vimizim on the #NHS https://www.england.nhs.uk/2015/11/23/morquio-a-syndrome-drugs/ ."