Drug pricing review is vital for patients

Published on Saturday 11 October 2008 20:18

WHETHER or not cancer patients' expectations are falsely raised by pharmaceutical companies is a key issue highlighted by the current debate on top-ups – and demonstrates how top-ups cannot be considered in isolation ('Cancer patients expect too much from the NHS', October 5).

Breakthrough Breast Cancer does not accept, as chairman of the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) Dr Ken Paterson suggests, that the NHS cannot afford to enable access to clinically effective drug treatments for all patients who could benefit. Drug costs in Scotland are a modest part of the total cancer care budget. It's crucial the current system of pharmaceutical drug pricing is reviewed to create a greater chance of new, clinically effective treatments becoming available on the NHS for all patients who could benefit from them. In addition, an urgent review of cancer drugs budgets should be undertaken and the NHS should ensure it is making the most efficient and effective use of its resources.

At the same time, it's vital all patients receive realistic and clear information on the benefits, risks and limitations of new treatments, so they can make informed decisions regarding their treatment, and that clinicians are supported in accessing up-to-date information. Equally, healthcare professionals need to be skilled in communicating complex health information.

Breakthrough has consulted extensively with people affected by breast cancer on the issue of top-ups and believes that better communication about the outcomes of the SMC reviews are essential. Quality Adjusted Life Year levels used by the SMC to assess cost effectiveness of treatments must be regularly updated to take into account rising costs and up to date assessments of quality of life measures.

We urge the Scottish Government to ensure its review finds ways of making long-lasting recommendations that will not increase treatment inequalities nor indeed undermine the founding principles of the NHS.

Audrey Birt, director for Scotland, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, London