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Sprycel in England and Wales/Scotland

The very unfortunate situation at present that some PCTs in England and Wales will not fund Srycel (Dasatinib) is highlighted again today in an article in The Times. The Scottish Medicines Consortium have approved its use in Scotland.

In this article, an English QC has advised Western Provident Association as to how he believes that someone south of the border renting a flat in Scotland may be sufficient to get prescriptions for Sprycel (and other drugs not available in parts of England). It is a ludicrous situation that such things should even have to contemplated in the National Health Service.

The answer in the case of Dasatinib is to get NICE to appraise it and approve it on a fast track. Could I please reiterate Sandy's plea for as many of you reading this as possible to write to your MP about it (see Sandy's post just below and the link on the right to a template letter)?
If you want to read the article in The Times, the link is:

Article in The Times

David

Hi David,
thanks for posting this article.... it is extremely interesting and points to the difficult situation that the government would find itself in if cancer patients took this legal advice, which i am sure is robust.

i have posted the letter to the sec. of state for health - Alan Johnson and cc'd both Ben Bradshaw,the minister of state, health services and Ann Keen, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, health services.

you can read a copy of this letter under the newswire item 'template letter to your MP'
best wishes,

Sandy ;o)

Western Provident Association have now put more information about the QC's Opinion on their web site. The link is:

WPA Press Link

David