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JEAN Murphy is to appeal against Salford PCT’s decision to reject her application for Sutent
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My agony of cancer drug fund refusal
Kathryn Ryan1/ 5/2008
A GRANDMOTHER says Salford Primary Care Trust’s refusal to fund a drug to treat her kidney cancer is tantamount to ‘manslaughter’.
Jean Murphy has already fought off breast cancer last year and she is now fighting renal cancer which has spread to her lungs.
But she has now been told by Salford PCT that they will not fund the drug Sutent which is routinely prescribed in Liverpool and Cheshire and has extended patients’ lives from an average of five to 11 months during trials.
Mrs Murphy has received a letter from the PCT saying they had declined to fund the drug and would be forwarding her the details of the decision in the near future.
Once she has received the explanation Mrs Murphy intends to launch an appeal.
Mrs Murphy, of Cleveland Avenue, Hope, said: "I can’t see any reason why it can’t be funded on the National Health Service if it’s a case of living or dying.
"The only thing that will help me is the Sutent.
"I don’t think the PCT are bothered, it’s not happened to them and I hope it never does.
"It’s like manslaughter because if I can’t get this I will die."
The 62-year-old was diagnosed with renal cancer last July, just two months after having a lumpectomy for breast cancer.
She has since had the kidney removed but in February this year she found out the secondary cancer in her lungs had now spread to a nearby lymph node.
Mrs Murphy, who helps to care for her husband Michael who suffers from Crohn’s disease, diabetes and heart disease, was supported in her request for the drug by her consultant Professor Robert Hawkins from Christie Hospital and GP Owain Thomas.
Prof Hawkins was also involved with the treatment of Factory Records boss Tony Wilson, who was also denied Sutent but managed to buy it privately after showbiz pals footed the bill.
The PCT have yet to explain to Mrs Murphy why her application for the drug was turned down.
Mrs Murphy added: "It always comes down to money but maybe if they took a cut in wages it would be better.
"It’s a postcode lottery and that’s scary.
"I’m disgusted with the PCT - not just for me but for anyone else who might need it.
"Me and my family have lived in Salford for generations - and this is what we get, it’s not right."
Mrs Murphy is now planning to launch an appeal against the PCT’s decision.
Her solicitor Mark McGhee said: "This case involves Mrs Murphy’s right to live and her human rights to fair treatment, it is totally unfair that people in neighbouring authorities should have access to these drugs but she does not."
A Salford PCT spokesman said: "We received a request for funding for Sutent for Mrs Murphy. As Mrs Murphy’s case is still ongoing we can’t comment further.
"Our policy is to consider such requests for funding individual treatments at our commissioning panel.
"If patients wish to challenge the decision of the initial commissioning panel they have a right to request a process review."
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Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
Keep shouting Jean - the squeaky hinge gets the oil!
This is the new way the devolved irresponsibility of the health 'service' practices EUthenasia - the Government pays team after team in QUANGOs to EUthenase difficult cases - they stall on supplying the drugs your highly trained clinicians like Robert Hawkins KNOW you need and even if you win at apeal they have delayed so long that the value of the drug has diminished as the mets. spread.
Members of PCTs are well paid as are killers in any society when working for weak and corrupt politicians.
Warm Hands - you are not alone in the battle.
Regards, Greg L-W. I too have Kidney Cancer & Bladder Cancer meet at www(dot)KidneyCancerResource(dot)com for facts, chat & help.
3/05/2008 at 03:45
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