Why don't they just give this man the cancer drug he is fighting for his life ?

Question

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Answer 1

If it was a member of their own family i think there would be a more positive response. Sometimes those in charge forget that they and their loved ones are just as likely to become ill as the next person but it's not until it becomes personal that they'll change their minds. A lot like politicians!

Answer 2

I've no idea why that isn't available on the NHS.

It's clearly going to help him, so he should be able to get it.

Answer 3

I'm going to play Devils advocate here.

Supposing the drug does have the ability to extend life it may only do so in 2% of all patients given the drug. So the odds are rubbish in other words. Then suppose the funding of the drug is £10,000 which is exactly the price of a drug course for a child with Leukaemia were effectiveness is 80% and prognosis for the child is very good.

It is a harsh fact of the NHS and cases viewed in isolation are always going to be worthy. Each and every life IS precious. But what are they to do? Damned if they do damned if they don't.

This mans story is heartbreaking though. I would have thought being a parent of young children and the spouse of a fellow cancer sufferer would have given him at least a chance no matter how financially non-viable. But I might feel differently if the re directed fund were supposed to benefit a child....

It's an argument run on parallel lines :-(

Answer 4

its about the money. if it costs a fortune and doesnt help, its not going to happen. That what happens in this world.

Answer 5

I'll tell you why. Because building roads and destroying the environment is much better. I live in Oxford, and they repaved the town road about 6 times, possibly more, paying each time about 2 million pounds. It looks so ugly still.

That's why this innocent man hasn't got the cancer drugs. Because Labour care more about roads that are already sustainable and able to stay for another 10 years without refurbishment.

Answer 6

As with everything to do with our accountant led government. It's about viable costs. The drugs won't save his life only prolong it and cost the NHS a lot of money for what the NHS accountants believe is not a reasonable gain. Cruel but true.

Answer 7

Health funding is a finite resource.  Just because something is possible does not mean it is right or sensible.  Someone has the unenviable job of deciding which treatments are cost effective and which are not.  Recent successful legal actions to overturn the sensible decisions of NICE are harming other people by diverting funding that could have done a LOT of good for MANY people towards incredibly expensive treatments that MIGHT give SOME benefit to ONE person for a limited period.  How is that fair?  No one wants to die, but we all will.