It’s not all about cost

READER Rebecca Torricelli’s account of how sufferers of spinal muscular atrophy such as her have been denied a life- changing treatment by Nice (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) on the grounds of cost (Letters) left me with tears of anger and frustration.

I can’t understand how a proven, successful drug is not available on the NHS. I know the NHS is struggling, but what cost do you put on lives? This drug is available in the U.S. and Europe, so why are we falling behind?

Knowing that you have no access to a drug that could improve your life is heartbreaking. Come on, Nice, please reconsider your decision. KAREN GARDNER, Camborne, Cornwall. WHY are new drugs being developed if the people who need them the most are not able to benefit? Why waste the money and resources on research, development and testing? Mrs TRUDY RUSSEL,

Stamford, Lincs.