Anger at bowel cancer drug ruling

[Setarime]

Charities have criticised a decision not to make two bowel cancer drugs widely available on the NHS.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) said there was insufficient evidence to recommend Avastin and Erbitux.

But charities say both drugs, used to treat advanced disease, are the best option for seriously ill patients.

They say the drugs have been shown to extend life expectancy by four to five months in some patients.

A similar decision has already been made in Scotland.

Surely if these drugs offer some extension on life expectancy they should be made available. I know if any of my family were unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with bowel cancer I would want them to have anything that will prolong their life. When will these "fat cats" stop thinking about their budgets and concentrate on patient care as their priority

[Arwen]

Totally agree Haggis patient health is way more important than any silly budget same ruling with the law more value on money than they do on human life

[Rocol]

Totally agree .. they should get rid of some of the ' Fat Cats ' on the NHS, their wages alone would pay for the issue of the drug.

[Saurgrist]

Originally Posted by Haggis Basher

Surely if these drugs offer some extension on life expectancy they should be made available. I know if any of my family were unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with bowel cancer I would want them to have anything that will prolong their life. When will these "fat cats" stop thinking about their budgets and concentrate on patient care as their priority

If it works, seems like they should definitely make it readily available.