Drugs dilemma

Reading that the drug abiraterone acetate might prolong the life of those suffering from prostate cancer by about four months at a cost of £12,000 a person (your report, 12 March), one notes that there is no comment on additional pain relief; it seems that the side-effects may be severe.

There is the issue of value for money as the NHS funding is being strictly controlled, and while our common humanity would indicate that drugs should be administered in all cases like this, there could be a feeling that much cheaper to treat and more common but also disabling illnesses – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – should be given priority.

Is there a need for a wider debate about how to approach the need to give improved support for more general societal illnesses, while never brushing aside the desires of the terminally-ill and their families?

Joe Darby

Cullicudden

Dingwall, Ross-shire