[Scrotnig]

A drug that can prolong the lives of patients with advanced liver cancer has been rejected for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Is this the right decision?

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) said the cost of Nexavar, also rejected in Scotland, was "simply too high" at about £3,000 a month. But Macmillan Cancer Support called the decision "a scandal".

More than 3,000 people are diagnosed with liver cancer every year in the UK and their prognosis is generally poor. Only about 20% of patients are alive one year after diagnosis, dropping to just 5% after five years.

Should medication be refused on the NHS? That's Today's Big Question.

[sphinx]

There is already a thread about this.

[Scrotnig]

Originally Posted by sphinx There is already a thread about this.

Yes but this is a "Today's Big Question" poll....

[bill jarvis]

Originally Posted by Scrotnig A drug that can prolong the lives of patients with advanced liver cancer has been rejected for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Is this the right decision? The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) said the cost of Nexavar, also rejected in Scotland, was "simply too high" at about £3,000 a month. But Macmillan Cancer Support called the decision "a scandal". More than 3,000 people are diagnosed with liver cancer every year in the UK and their prognosis is generally poor. Only about 20% of patients are alive one year after diagnosis, dropping to just 5% after five years. Should medication be refused on the NHS? That's Today's Big Question.

Of course we should refuse to help people if it costs this amount of money.
£3000 a month could go towards housing and providing for another immigrant family for a month.
You can't have your cake and eat it.

bill

[NiNjiiN]

I suspect I'll be shot down for this.

*deep breath.

If the N.H.S had enough funding it wouldn't be an issue. The P.D.S.A will not give free treatment if it's not essential or it's something that very little can be done about it. As a result more pets needing help that can be helped, are helped. I've no argument with this. xxx

[Scrotnig]

Originally Posted by NiNjiiN If the N.H.S had enough funding it wouldn't be an issue

The NHS has more than enough funding, but they spend it all on top managers' salaries, company cars, expensive contract tenders and smart offices for bigwigs.

[NiNjiiN]

So the question should be about the N.H.S sorting out where the funds go. Instead it's based on their policy regarding the funds they have available for treatment. xxx

[George]

If the NHS has money to spend on cosmetic surgery, abortions and gender realignment then they must be so flush with cash they would never dream of refusing a cancer patient. You must have made this up.



/sarcasm mode off

[sphinx]

Originally Posted by George If the NHS has money to spend on cosmetic surgery, abortions and gender realignment then they must be so flush with cash they would never dream of refusing a cancer patient. You must have made this up. /sarcasm mode off

I agree and was going to make a similar post.

[NiNjiiN]

Originally Posted by George If the NHS has money to spend on cosmetic surgery, abortions and gender realignment then they must be so flush with cash they would never dream of refusing a cancer patient. You must have made this up. /sarcasm mode off

These things are meant to enhance future quality of life. Admittedly there are many that make up the distress it would cause them if they went without, but that's another story.

The drug in question extends the cancer victim's life by around three months. I certainly wouldn't want to prolong my suffering in that situation. It's not a cure. I also wouldn't want to remain a burden to my carers (costing yet more money and N.H.S treatment) and I wouldn't be happy knowing the funds spent on giving me just a few more months of pain and grief could've been spent on more worthwhile things. Babies needing care are a prime example of this. It's just one area that in my opinion is worth more than my selfish desires. They have their whole life ahead of them.

It would be different if in those months there was a possibility of successful treatment. xxx