The Stirrer's Cancer Campaign

"NICE NOT NICE" WHEN IT COMES TO VITAL DRUG

26-10-2007

The Stirrer's campaign to ensure West Midlands cancer patients are treated with the breakthrough drug Sutent is winning support from councillors in Birmingham and the Black Country. Liberal Democrat Emily Cox from Moseley and Kings Heath is the latest to join the battle.

In recent weeks, we've featured the cases of Lorraine Knight from Wednesbury, Michael Young from Selly Oak, and Kex Gorin, former drummer with local rock heroes Magnum.

They've all suffered kidney cancer - and all, so far, been refused the treatment which their specialists have recommended for them.

Sutent is licensed for use in the UK, and is routinely prescribed in other parts of the country, but because it hasn't yet been recommended by the National Institute For Clinical Excellence, it can still be withheld by Primary Care Trusts.

Elaine Costigan, Conservative councillor for Wednesbury North who is lobbying on Lorraine's behalf, says the situation is "disgraceful".

Now Emily Cox is taking up Michael Young's case after receiving a heart-rending letter from one of his daughters.

She's written to Sir Albert Bore, Chair of the University Hospital Trust which runs the QE Hospital - where Michael (and Lorraine) are being treated - and wants the system changed.

She quotes figures from Cancer Research showing that the drug has an 80% chance of slowing the growth of the cancer, and a 40% likelihood of putting it into remission.

"Nobody should have a greater value placed on their life by the NHS because of where they live" she told The Stirrer.

"By making individual health trusts choose, NICE are creating a postcode lottery which must be stopped - its not nice for the patient, its not nice for the trusts that must make the life and death choices and in short its not nice of NICE."