Posted on 11/23/2009 10:48:34 PM PST by Free ThinkerNY
Bowel cancer sufferers are to be denied a life-prolonging drug on the NHS which is available to patients across Europe and beyond.
Trials show Avastin can extend life by almost two years.
But the Government's rationing body, Nice, says it is not cost-effective.
In what has been dubbed 'passport prescribing', Britain does not allow routine use of the drug while patients in virtually all other EU countries get the drug paid for.
France, Germany, Italy and Scandinavian nations, as well as Australia and Canada, all meet the cost of treatment.
Last week Nice rejected the use of a liver cancer drug on the NHS.
Around 35,000 Britons develop bowel cancer each year, of which 4,000-5,000 with advanced cancer could benefit from the drug.
Avastin, also known as bevacizumab, costs around £18,000 for a course of ten months' treatment given as intravenous infusion with chemotherapy.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Yet the mooselimbs in the UK get free education, welfare, housing, and all other goodies.
Reminds me of Ed Murphy’s “Coming to America.”
Earth calling Alan Grayson, Earth calling Alan Grayson....
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