Comments on: Great news for patients as Government announces cancer drug access package http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/11/04/great-news-for-patients-as-government-announces-cancer-drug-access-package/ The latest news, views and opinions from Cancer Research UK Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:36:59 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Henry Scowcroft http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/11/04/great-news-for-patients-as-government-announces-cancer-drug-access-package/#comment-864 Henry Scowcroft Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:07:39 +0000 http://cancerresearchuk.wordpress.com/?p=725#comment-864 Thanks for all your comments - and in case you missed it, last week the Government announced a new deal with the pharmaceutical industry which should lead to lower costs and greater access to treatments, which is great news. http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/newsarchive/2008/november/18886108 Henry Thanks for all your comments – and in case you missed it, last week the Government announced a new deal with the pharmaceutical industry which should lead to lower costs and greater access to treatments, which is great news.

http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/newsarchive/2008/november/18886108

Henry

]]> By: Patricia http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/11/04/great-news-for-patients-as-government-announces-cancer-drug-access-package/#comment-810 Patricia Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:02:46 +0000 http://cancerresearchuk.wordpress.com/?p=725#comment-810 It costs pharmaceutical companies many millions of pounds to develop and test new potential drugs, hence the costs to the public must be high. Extend the licence period for the company to have sole manufacturing rights and hence profits and in the long run the companies will put more effort into manufacturing the drugs and the costs to the public will eventually come down. It costs pharmaceutical companies many millions of pounds to develop and test new potential drugs, hence the costs to the public must be high. Extend the licence period for the company to have sole manufacturing rights and hence profits and in the long run the companies will put more effort into manufacturing the drugs and the costs to the public will eventually come down.

]]> By: Susanne http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/11/04/great-news-for-patients-as-government-announces-cancer-drug-access-package/#comment-809 Susanne Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:18:27 +0000 http://cancerresearchuk.wordpress.com/?p=725#comment-809 There will never be enough money to do all the things that need doing, just as there will never be enough time. Any organisation, be it publicly funded or otherwise, knows that the people it exists for, it's patients, relatives of patients, employees, volunteers, are extremely grateful for any additional assitance with care for cancer patients. Personally, I am aware of the fear of the two-tier system, but the benefit of lifting the ban on top-ups far outweighs the risks. There are many people who would, in desperation, pay for a "miracle" treatment offered in a foreign country over the internet. I have a close relative who has worked hard for many years in two countries. Before this decision he could have received the recommended treatment abroad, away from his family, or receive NHS treatment surrounded by his loved ones. Now he has an option to make a financial decision in the context of expert, consistent care, life expectancy and what is recommended by professionals the most appropriate treatment. There will never be enough money to do all the things that need doing, just as there will never be enough time. Any organisation, be it publicly funded or otherwise, knows that the people it exists for, it’s patients, relatives of patients, employees, volunteers, are extremely grateful for any additional assitance with care for cancer patients. Personally, I am aware of the fear of the two-tier system, but the benefit of lifting the ban on top-ups far outweighs the risks. There are many people who would, in desperation, pay for a “miracle” treatment offered in a foreign country over the internet. I have a close relative who has worked hard for many years in two countries. Before this decision he could have received the recommended treatment abroad, away from his family, or receive NHS treatment surrounded by his loved ones. Now he has an option to make a financial decision in the context of expert, consistent care, life expectancy and what is recommended by professionals the most appropriate treatment.

]]> By: Beth http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/11/04/great-news-for-patients-as-government-announces-cancer-drug-access-package/#comment-808 Beth Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:47:46 +0000 http://cancerresearchuk.wordpress.com/?p=725#comment-808 As someone who has just been given an all clear after operations last year, I really do find it offensive that someone can refer to medical intervention as "false hope and miracles". Money spent on medical progression and medicines designed to improve the outcome for the patient should not be dismissed in such a way. As someone who has just been given an all clear after operations last year, I really do find it offensive that someone can refer to medical intervention as “false hope and miracles”. Money spent on medical progression and medicines designed to improve the outcome for the patient should not be dismissed in such a way.

]]> By: Claire http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/11/04/great-news-for-patients-as-government-announces-cancer-drug-access-package/#comment-807 Claire Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:25:48 +0000 http://cancerresearchuk.wordpress.com/?p=725#comment-807 Entering into negotiations with organisations that make money on peoples ill health is negligent of the taxpayer without whom the NHS would not exsist. The possible cost inflates to billions as poor lifestyle and education on diet increases the incidence and impact of cancer. The finance should be used to fund valuable services that make a patients end of life experience comfortable. Do I really have to remind the public that most hospice care in this country is provided and funded by charitable foundations and not public money? These people help with accepting death and dying and promote comfortable and pain free environments in a patients home or within a hospice dedicated to good nursing care. They do not promote false hope and miracles. Entering into negotiations with organisations that make money on peoples ill health is negligent of the taxpayer without whom the NHS would not exsist. The possible cost inflates to billions as poor lifestyle and education on diet increases the incidence and impact of cancer. The finance should be used to fund valuable services that make a patients end of life experience comfortable. Do I really have to remind the public that most hospice care in this country is provided and funded by charitable foundations and not public money? These people help with accepting death and dying and promote comfortable and pain free environments in a patients home or within a hospice dedicated to good nursing care. They do not promote false hope and miracles.

]]> By: joncancer http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/11/04/great-news-for-patients-as-government-announces-cancer-drug-access-package/#comment-787 joncancer Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:52:32 +0000 http://cancerresearchuk.wordpress.com/?p=725#comment-787 Unfortunately prostate cancer symptoms are not seen in the early stages when it can be curable. Decrease in food intake, lack of hunger, weight loss, softening of bone are the symptoms seen in advanced stages. Unfortunately prostate cancer symptoms are not seen in the early stages when it can be curable. Decrease in food intake, lack of hunger, weight loss, softening of bone are the symptoms seen in advanced stages.

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