Hewitt backs fight by mother refused breast cancer drug
THE plight of a woman denied the breast cancer drug Herceptin on the NHS led to a dramatic intervention by Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt last night.
She has called an urgent meeting with the primary care trust which refused to fund the drug for mother- of-four Elaine Barber.
Yesterday, the trust wrote to 41-year- old Mrs Barber to say it was not convinced that Herceptin was safe or cost- effective.
But last month, Mrs Hewitt told all PCTs that they should not refuse to fund the drug on cost grounds.
After being turned down yesterday, Mrs Barber instructed lawyers to take the North Stoke primary care trust to the High Court. She will seek a ruling that could pave the way for thousands of women to receive the treatment free.
Later, the Health Secretary said she was ‘very concerned’ at the trust’s decision. She added: ‘It conflicts with decisions made by other PCTs around the country.
‘On the basis of the published evidence, other PCTs have agreed to fund Herceptin for individual women with early- stage breast cancer whose clinicians recommend that the drug is suitable for them providing they are aware of the potential risks.
‘ We have already arranged an urgent meeting with the PCT and Strategic Health Authority later this week to discuss their approach to funding Herceptin.’
Mrs Hewitt said she was aware of financial pressure on trusts but they would have to make ‘ difficult trade- offs’ to ensure women receive it.
Trials show the drug can halve the risk of recurrence in women with early- stage breast cancer, but its safety and efficacy will not be confirmed until a licence is granted next summer.
Mrs Barber contracted breast cancer in August, 2004 and is currently in remission.
Her doctor recommended that she be treated with Herceptin but she received a letter from her PCT yesterday refusing treatment on grounds of resources.
The trust also said there was a lack of evidence supporting the long-term efficacy of the drug.
She said: ‘ I’m shattered by this news – I cannot believe that my life is being measured in pounds.
‘ I intend to fight this decision and will take this battle to the High Court, not only for myself but also for the many other women who will die if this essential drug is not made available to those who need it.’
Mrs Barber, a single mother from Stoke- on- Trent, said many women had already been treated with the drug for late- stage breast cancer and she was not worried about possible side effects.
She said: ‘Is it safer to give me the drug or safer not to give it to me – and let me die? I know which option I prefer to take.’
She has applied for a judicial review which her solicitors, Irwin Mitchell, expect to be heard within seven days.
Around one in four women with the disease responds to the drug following special testing to ensure they can benefit.
The Government is taking steps to increase testing facilities in time for the expected licence decision.
Joanne Rule, chief executive of the charity CancerBACUP, said women are at the moment in an impossible position. ‘ We need national guidance, sent by the Health Secretary to every PCT in the country, making it explicitly clear that if a clinician decides it is in the best interests of his or her patient to receive Herceptin, then they must fund that decision,’ she said.
‘ Women shouldn’t have to fight on a case-by- case basis.’
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Steve Webb said Mrs Hewitt had raised expectations by claiming all women who could benefit will have the opportunity to be treated with the drug.ˇ He said: ‘ Ministers have a responsibility to people not to raise false hopes. The Secretary of State has failed in this regard.’
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