Breast Cancer Care: Comment on the government’s announcements surrounding top up payments

Comment on the government’s announcements surrounding top up payments.

Jane Hatfield, Director of Policy and Research at Breast Cancer Care, said:

“Continued uncertainty on the legality of ‘top-ups’ has caused untold anxiety for breast cancer patients, so today’s announcement that those paying for drugs will not lose access to NHS care will bring relief to many.

“The issue of those who cannot afford to pay for new drugs has not been met by the government, and it is vital that the announcement does not result in greater patient inequalities.

“Breast Cancer Care welcomes the announcement that the government will increase funding for cancer drugs, but we believe that this should be available for all cancer types, and not just those classed as ‘rare’.

“We are encouraged by the move toward more flexible pricing agreements with drug companies, and improvements to the way NICE works.

“However, it will be essential that patients are given unbiased information on the clinical effectiveness of any new drug. This, plus explanations of the other measures outlined in this report, must be quickly and clearly communicated to patients and primary care trusts, including clarity over exceptional case reviews.”

ENDS

For further media information, please contact
Ian Manley
0207 960 3450/0770 290 1334
ianm@breastcancercare.org.uk