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Author Topic: Life prolonging cancer drugs to be banned because they cost too much (UK)  (Read 1349 times)

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Offline thundley4

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Life prolonging cancer drugs to be banned because they cost too much (UK)
« on: March 05, 2009, 06:27:49 AM »
"Thousands of patients with terminal cancer were dealt a blow last night after a decision was made to deny them life prolonging drugs.

The Government's rationing body said two drugs for advanced breast cancer and a rare form of stomach cancer were too expensive for the NHS.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is expected to confirm guidance in the next few weeks that will effectively ban their use.

The move comes despite a pledge by Nice to be more flexible in giving life-extending drugs to terminally-ill cancer patients after a public outcry last year over 'death sentence' decisions. Leading campaigners last night said Nice had failed the 'acid test' of whether it really intended to give new priority to people with just a few months to live.

One drug, Lapatinib, can halve the speed of growth of breast cancer in one in five women with an aggressive form of the disease. " Link

Coming soon to The USSA courtesy of 0Bama.
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Offline terry

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Re: Life prolonging cancer drugs to be banned because they cost too much (UK)
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2009, 10:05:08 AM »
I never understand these things coming out of the UK.  Are they saying that the NHS will not pay for them, but if you want to pay out of pocket you can?  or are they saying the drugs are banned as in illegal to use regardless of ability to pay?
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Offline 5412

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Re: Life prolonging cancer drugs to be banned because they cost too much (UK)
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2009, 07:30:34 PM »
Quote from: terry on March 05, 2009, 10:05:08 AM
I never understand these things coming out of the UK.  Are they saying that the NHS will not pay for them, but if you want to pay out of pocket you can?  or are they saying the drugs are banned as in illegal to use regardless of ability to pay?


Hi,

I heard an interview with the junior senator from AZ a week or so ago discussing the health plan Daschle is pushing for.  The health care decision will be based on "cost effectiveness", meaning if you are a senior citizen you are screwed.....   The senator then went on to say, do not let them try to make you believe that your insurance company can still pay for the denied treatment.  If they do pay for it they will not be allowed to deduct the cost as a business deduction on their tax return.  I guess that means you better be damn wealthy and pay for things out of pocket or you just flat will not get it.

regards,
5412
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Offline ironhorsedriver

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Re: Life prolonging cancer drugs to be banned because they cost too much (UK)
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2009, 08:18:55 PM »
Little late to this one, but, any Senator, congressman or President doesn't have to fear any of their own rulings. They will recieve free healthcare, no expense spared, at Walter Reed or Naval Hospital. Any drug they need, they'll get. It's a shame they aren't forced to deal with their own laws, just like us little people.
Could you see Pelosi or Reid retiring on Social Security and Medicare?
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