A DAD has pleaded with politicians and health bosses to fund the drugs that could save his son’s life.

Daniel Bodio, 34, was just two months old when he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

Now, the North Swindon man’s lungs are failing and he faces an uncertain future.

But dad Bruce, 59, from Royal Wootton Bassett, believes that a new drug, Orakambi, could save his son’s life.

He says that the drug, which has already been licensed for use in the Republic of Ireland, would help stop the damage to his son’s lungs.

“We’ve kept him as well as possible so that when either a life-saving drug or a cure came along he would benefit from it," he said.

“It’s getting to the point now when Daniel’s lungs are getting stuck together and his lung function is going.”

Bruce and wife Beverley are joining campaigners from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and North Wiltshire MP James Gray outside Downing Street on Monday, calling on the Government to strike a deal with drug company Vertex and make Orkambi freely available on the NHS.

“I told the Cystic Fibrosis Trust: ‘I don’t want to be talking to you when I’m burying my son. I’m going to fight now to make sure that Daniel gets Orkambi - and by doing that ensure that the rest of the CF community that can benefit,” he said.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes the lungs and digestive system to become clogged with mucus. There are almost 11,000 people living with cystic fibrosis in the UK. Last year campaigners say that half of all those who died from the disease were under-30.

Campaigners say that Orkambi could benefit around 40 per cent of those diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. The drug tackles the gene mutation that causes the disease, rather than the symptoms.

James Barrow, head of external affairs at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: “If a deal between the Government and drug manufacturer over the price of Orkambi is not reached soon we fear people will run out of time.”

The drug has been licensed for use in the UK. But NICE, the national body which provides guidance for hospitals and doctors on new treatments, refused to recommend the drug’s use. The list price for the drug is £104,000 per person per year.

A spokeswoman for NICE said: “NICE issued guidance in July 2016 which did not recommend Orkambi to treat cystic fibrosis. The decision was based on the evidence and price proposal provided by Vertex at the time of the appraisal.

“Once NICE issues final guidance, companies are still able to submit a new cost-effective proposal which demonstrates their drug is cost-effective. This will be considered under a rapid review process. We have not received a further proposal from the company.”

Bruce Bodio hopes that the drug won’t come too late for his married son, who as a child was a swimming champion and now works as a design manager for Bosch Rexroth in South Cerney.

“We’ve raised money for all these years with the objective of finding a cure," he said.

"My son’s time is running out and if we don’t get it soon I’m going to start a trust for Daniel to get the drug.”