Posted by Michael Wonder on 15 Aug 2016
NHS patients missing out on cancer drugs
15 August 2016 - Thousands of NHS patients in the UK are missing out on access to innovative treatments that are available to patients living in some other countries of comparable wealth, finds new research by charities Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK.
According to their report, 'International Comparisons of Health Technology Assessment', a key reason for the UK's poor performance on access is the rigidity of the its appraisal systems, in that they lack the opportunity for negotiation on drug prices.
The report reviewed the drug systems and the availability of breast and prostate cancer treatments in England, Scotland and Wales compared to five similar countries: Germany, France, Australia, Canada and Sweden.
