A HAMPSHIRE boy could be getting access to a breakthrough treatment within weeks after a deal was struck by health chiefs.

Medication watchdog National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is expected to publish guidance on a drug which could slow down the effects of Jagger Curtis’s condition.

The little Saints fan suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy. For months his family have been campaigning for him to access to a drug called Translarna.

Because of the condition Jagger, eight, is not expected to live beyond his teens and be unable to walk past a certain age - but the drug could slow down the effects.

Once the guidance is published NHS England would then begin delivering the treatment to children such as Jagger who urgently need it.

Jagger’s dad James said it was critical that he started medication as soon as possible.

“They said it could be autumn before we get it but we think he needs it now,” he said. He hoped Jagger would start the education sometime between the start of August and the end of September.

“Hopefully it won’t be too long. He’s getting a little bit more achy. But he’s happy and positive and that’s the main thing.”

In April, NICE recommended NHS funding for Translarna, the first drug addressing an underlying cause of the life-limiting muscle-wasting condition to be approved in the EU.

Robert Meadowcroft, Chief Executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “We are delighted with this long-awaited news that an agreement has finally been reached between NHS England and [pharmaceutical firm] PTC Therapeutics. While NICE and NHS England have been conducting their assessment of Translarna, families have faced a desperately long and frustrating wait, and had to endure the heartbreak of seeing their sons decline, while this licensed drug was not available to them.

“We give the boys and their families our huge thanks and recognition of their persistent and dedicated campaigning efforts and, after working together with many charities, we are pleased we are now a significant step closer to Translarna at last being made available to eligible boys on the NHS in England.”