NHS patients missing out on cancer treatments

clock • 3 min read

International report finds access to breast cancer drugs across the UK is falling behind other countries - including Germany, France and Canada - with thousands missing out on life-extending treatments.

The research by Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK showed this is likely in part because the UK's appraisal systems lack the opportunity to negotiate on the price of drugs. The 'International Comparisons of Health Technology Assessment' report - published today - reviewed the drug systems and the availability of breast and prostate cancer treatments in England, Scotland and Wales compared to five similar countries: Germany, France, Australia, Canada and Sweden. It shows for example that Kadcyla - a drug that can offer women living with incurable secondary breast cancer an extra ...

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