Home / Health / NI Cancer Patients Face 'Postcode Lottery' Over New Drug
NI Cancer Patients Face 'Postcode Lottery' Over New Drug
4 May
Summary
- New injectable Keytruda offers faster cancer treatment for UK patients.
- Northern Ireland patients risk unequal access to revolutionary drug.
- Cancer expert calls for rapid availability to avoid treatment disparity.
A significant development in cancer treatment, a new injectable form of the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, is now available for patients in England and Wales. This innovative approach is expected to drastically cut down the time thousands of NHS patients spend receiving treatment in hospitals, reducing a procedure that previously took over an hour via intravenous infusion to just a few minutes.
However, concerns are being raised that cancer patients in Northern Ireland may be left behind, facing a "postcode lottery" for access to this revolutionary treatment. Professor Mark Lawler from Queen's University Belfast highlighted that the scientific community is advocating for rapid patient access to the drug. The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has acknowledged awareness of the injectable drug and stated they are exploring options for its prompt availability to patients.
Professor Lawler described the new injectable method as a "revolutionary" and "novel approach" to cancer therapy, representing a major advancement in immunotherapy over the last 25 years. He stressed that while it is positive news for patients and the health system by improving efficiency, the current lack of availability in Northern Ireland is concerning. He urged for parity of treatment across the UK, stating that patients in Belfast should receive the same care as those in England.
While the exact reasons for the delay in Northern Ireland are not definitively stated, Professor Lawler suggested that funding issues might be a contributing factor. He argued that this new treatment could potentially save money for the health system while simultaneously delivering optimal care for cancer patients, presenting a clear win-win scenario. The expert pointed out that given the ongoing issues with waiting times, this new method offers a tangible way to save time for both patients and healthcare providers, suggesting that capacity and logistics are not the barriers, but rather financial considerations.
