MSP calls for cancer drug to be made available in Fife
Published 15 Oct 2012 09:30
1 Comment
MID Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker is calling for a potentially life-saving drug to be made available to prostate cancer sufferers.
Mrs Baker said prostate cancer patients in Fife could not get the cancer drug abiraterone despite it being approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium in August.
Despite previously writing to NHS Fife for an update on its availability, she was told that as part of the South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN), the health board was bound by the decision taken by NHS Lothian on behalf of the network.
The drug is reported to be able to extend the lives of men with incurable prostate cancer.
It was previously only available in England and Wales but is now approved for use in Scotland.
Mrs Baker said, "The drug was approved in August yet sufferers in Fife cannot get access to the treatment until it is signed off by NHS Lothian.
"This decision has still not been taken and I will be writing to NHS Lothian to call on them to now take the decision."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 15 Oct 12
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jollymolly
95 posts
Oct 15, 12:58
Report commentWell done MSP Claire Baker
Get your fingers out NHS Lothian !!!
there are people suffering out there and who need this drug desperately.
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