Welsh Conservatives today announced plans to tackle inequalities in access to lifesaving cancer medicines and pledged to make new medicines available to Welsh patients.
The Party today committed to establishing a £10million Cancer Drugs Fund to make available medicines, which have not been approved by NICE, often due to costs.
In addition to tackling existing postcode lotteries, the policy would ensure that Welsh patients have equitable access when the Cancer Drugs Fund for England replaces interim arrangements in April 2011.
Funding for the scheme would be reviewed annually to ensure equity and that it is meeting the demands of Welsh patients.
The scheme would be administered centrally rather than by Local Health Boards to help ensure equality of access across Wales.
The Party will pay for the Cancer Drugs Fund through savings already identified including reducing waste in the medicines budget and through the Party’s commitment to protect the NHS budget.
Nick Ramsay AM, Conservative Shadow Minister for Health and Social Services, said, “A Cancer Drugs Fund would be a major step forward in addressing inequalities in access to lifesaving cancer medicines.
“Many cancer patients in Wales have had to fight postcode lotteries to access vital medicines at a time when they are facing the distress of a life-threatening condition.
“All too often cancer patients have seen medicines turned down by NICE solely on grounds of cost, when they could make a significant difference to the survival chances of patients.
“Unless we invest in making new and developing cancer treatments available here, Welsh patients will face the ultimate postcode lottery, where English residents will have access to medicines which are denied to patients in Wales.
“This commitment is possible because the Welsh Conservatives are committed to protecting the health budget for the lifetime of the next Assembly.”
