Carwyn Jones has ruled out introducing a “much-needed” cancer drugs fund in Wales, during First Minister’s Questions.
When challenged by the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly, Nick Bourne AM, the First Minister said he ‘doesn’t see the need for a separate fund’.
Mr Bourne said: “Cancer treatment is of the utmost importance to everyone in Wales and I am shocked by the First Minister’s complacency on this issue.
“Labour-Plaid is planning to cut the health budget by £1 billion over the next three years. We have now had confirmation that cancer treatment is one of the areas that will suffer.
“The UK coalition government has announced a fund to provide life-prolonging drugs not yet approved by NICE to cancer patients in England.
“Wales will see nothing similar under this government’s plans and cancer patients will be facing a postcode lottery of the highest order.
“This is a much-needed fund and Labour-Plaid has got to change its priorities.”
