Patient's drug agony
A cancer patient says he may be forced to sell his home to pay for a drug which he believes will prolong his life as health chiefs are not willing to do so. A cancer patient says he may be forced to sell his home to pay for a drug which he believes will prolong his life as health chiefs are not willing to do so. The drug Barry Richards is fighting to get hold of is Sutent – the same one which ex-Wolves star Ian "Iggy" Cartwright was denied. Mr Richards, of Tipton, has had a four-week trial on the drug, but after that runs out he will have to foot the £3,000 a month bill himself if he wants to continue. His daughter, Debbie Reeve, is writing to health bosses to ask why the drug is not supported by them. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
The drug Barry Richards is fighting to get hold of is Sutent – the same one which ex-Wolves star Ian "Iggy" Cartwright was denied.
Mr Richards, of Tipton, has had a four-week trial on the drug, but after that runs out he will have to foot the £3,000 a month bill himself if he wants to continue. His daughter, Debbie Reeve, is writing to health bosses to ask why the drug is not supported by them.
Mr Richards, aged 71, first had to have a kidney removed in 2004 when it was found to be cancerous. Since then the cancer has spread to his lung.
Mr Richards, of Whitehouse Street, said: "I have been told by my doctors that pretty much the only hope is this new drug.
"I just don't know why it is not available to everyone. The first four weeks of treatment is free.
"I have started the course and now I'm on the second week.
"I am also having steroids as I was quite weak and now I'm a different man.
"I hope to get the drug. I haven't asked what the alternative might be."
Paul Birch, Head of Commissioning at Sandwell Primary Care Trust said: "Sunitib or Sutent was one of a number of drugs considered by the Pan Birmingham Cancer Network, of which the PCT is a member.
"The Network is a group of PCTs, cancer specialists and other clinicians working together to develop cancer services across the area.
"Despite an increase of over £1m across the network and £200k from Sandwell PCT alone, Sutent was one of a number of drugs and treatments which could not be supported.
"This was partly because this drug is not currently subject to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance, although it would be funded in line with any guidance if or when that is released," he added.
Ex-Wolves star Ian Cartwright, aged 42, was also denied the drug and a campaign was started by his friends.
Fundraising events raised more than £20,000 so he could continue to have the treatment.
