Category: News
Date: 04.02.2006
Printable version
On the eve of a court case which should determine whether the Secretary of State's intervention in the Herceptin debate was an 'instruction' or the offer of an 'opinion', 91Èȱ¬ ONE's Panorama tells the inside story of the pressure put on a cash strapped Primary Care Trust to change its mind and fund a hugely expensive drug.
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In a substantial survey of cancer specialists in England and Wales, the programme reveals the effect of the rise of 'patient power', and the tough value for money decisions now facing the NHS.
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Ann-Marie Rogers takes Swindon Primary Care Trust to court next week after she was refused funding by their Exceptional Cases Panel.
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She says: "I think it's down to money and I think they put money before your life, funding before your life.
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"What is exceptional? I don't know, what does it mean? Who have you got to be to get this drug and live?"
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Panorama asks whether the answer to that question will be crucial for every woman fighting for Herceptin.
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In a survey of more than 600 oncologists (response rate almost 60%) Panorama asked all those who treat breast cancer whether they are now able to give Herceptin for early stage breast cancer on the NHS.
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Twenty-eight per cent said: 'yes, they always could'. Others said there was no such policy at their trust.
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Seventy-two per cent can only give Herceptin to their patients 'sometimes' - or even 'never'.
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The programme also asked the oncologists whether they have experienced patients asking for new cancer drugs by name.
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Eighty-seven per cent said 'yes' - half of them 'often'. More and more patients know the name of the drug they want and ask about it.
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When asked if they make patients aware of new drugs, even if they cannot always prescribe it on the NHS, 77% said they do not always mention them.
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'If the benefits are marginal, if the trust won't pay, why cause patients distress?' they argue.
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Also in the programme Panorama reveals the frustration behind the scenes at the Primary Care Trusts in Staffordshire as the demand for Herceptin grew.
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In North Stoke - a trust £7m in the red - emails shown to Panorama under the Freedom of Information Act reveal concerns about the drug's safety and its value for money.
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The reporter for Panorama is Betsan Powys. The programme is on 91Èȱ¬ ONE on Sunday 5 February 2006 at 10.15pm.
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Following the programme Fiona Bruce will be hosting a live debate on 91Èȱ¬ News 24 at 11.00pm.
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