Fast track needed so patients aren't kept waiting for new drugs

12.00.00am GMT Wed 1st Feb 2006

Speeding up the availability of new drugs which can combat cancer and other lethal diseases will be at the top of the Health Minister's in-tray today.

Welsh Liberal Democrats today published a motion which will force the issue on to the agenda of the Assembly in their opposition party debate next week.

Assembly leader Mike German said: "This is an issue of the utmost importance. We have the crazy situation where Cardiff residents attending Velindre Hospital can get breast cancer drug Herceptin prescribed to them. Yet someone from Barry or Blaenrhondda attending the same hospital would not be able to get the drugs because their Local Health Boards have not reached the same decision as Cardiff.

"This is a lethal postcode lottery. We need greater clarity and speed from the Minister and the bodies which advise us on drugs in Wales. If drugs like Herceptin can - in the opinion of the doctors - save lives, we have a duty to find ways of making them available."

Jenny Randerson, Health spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, added: "Herceptin is just one of a number of drugs which are running in to problems. Other cancer and Alzheimer's drugs are facing similar problems.

"We have to put in place a better system of approving, and recommending drugs for use in Wales. The Scots have developed a system which works far more effectively than ours. We will be seeking cross-party support to ensure that our Minister takes a look at what they are doing - and ensures that patients in Wales aren't left waiting for the drugs they may need."

The debate will take place in the Assembly on Tuesday February 6th. It could be the first major debate to be held in the new debating chamber.

Notes:

The Welsh Liberal Democrat motion, for debate next week, reads:

"The National Assembly calls for the process for approving new drugs to be speeded up so that they become available more quickly to patients in Wales.

"The National Assembly requires the Welsh Assembly Government to commission an urgent study to report by the end of the Assembly's summer term 2006 into methods by which new drugs can be made available more quickly.

"The study should include the full cost implications in the short, medium and longer term and an examination of the Scottish drugs approval process."

Jenny Randerson has long championed access to new drugs including Herceptin. Previous releases can be seen at: http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/news_e_theme.asp?newsTheme=Health%20and%20Social%20Care