Cancer Drug Fund won't be set up here

Tue, 01 Nov 2011

The funding of certain cancer treatments has been discussed in the House of Keys today.

Onchan member Zac Hall asked whether patients on the Island are entitled to the same level of treatment as they would get in the UK.

It comes after one of his constituents who is suffering from terminal cancer was told the NHS won't fund a drug that could extend her life.

It's because the drug hadn't been recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.

The United Kingdom has a specialist fund available to pay for cancer drugs that haven't been approved by NICE.

Health Minister David Anderson says the Island has no intention of setting up a Cancer Drug Fund.[Play media file below]