Home / Health / NHS Rule Blocks Mum's Last Hope Drug
NHS Rule Blocks Mum's Last Hope Drug
27 Oct
Summary
- A mother with incurable cancer denied a life-prolonging drug.
- Eligibility for the drug requires one or two chemotherapy rounds.
- Family is fundraising to purchase the medication privately.
Laura Stanford, a mother of five from Kent, is facing a devastating setback in her battle against incurable secondary breast cancer. The cancer has tragically spread to her liver and bones. Stanford has been informed that she is ineligible for Enhertu, a drug that could potentially prolong her life.
This crucial medication is accessible through NHS England, but with strict eligibility criteria. Patients must have completed only one or two previous rounds of chemotherapy. As Laura is currently undergoing her third round, she does not meet the requirements for access. This situation has understandably left her and her family in distress.
Laura expressed her deep disappointment, stating that the only reason she cannot try Enhertu is because her condition necessitated a third round of chemotherapy. She feels it is unfair that women who progressed to a third chemotherapy, out of necessity, are now excluded from this treatment option. Her daughter, Faith, shared the emotional toll this has taken on the family.
The family is now actively attempting to raise funds privately to afford the drug, highlighting the significant financial burden and emotional pressure they are under. A spokesperson for NHS England emphasized that guidance for such therapies is based on the latest clinical evidence and NICE assessments, which found Enhertu to be safe and effective for patients with one or two prior chemotherapy courses.
