WOMAN DENIED VITAL DRUG

A woman suffering from breast cancer has been denied treatment with a potentially lifesaving drug.

Lesley Tipler from Windsor Way, Polegate, was diagnosed with the disease in February.

She received chemotherapy treatment and has just finished a course of radiotherapy.

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Last month the Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust (PCT) agreed Mrs Tipler should be prescribed herceptin.

Mrs Tipler's specialist told her the drug could reduce the likelihood of a relapse by up to 50 per cent and experts say to be most effective it must be given within six months of a cancer diagnosis.

Now a funding dispute between the PCT and a consultant at the Sussex Cancer Centre appears to be blocking the treatment she was prescribed.

Last month the PCT agreed the centre should make herceptin available to Mrs Tipler following assurances from her oncologist that she was a suitable case for treatment.

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But now the centre has rejected this decision saying the money should come from the PCT.

Mrs Tipler's case has been taken up by Lewes MP Norman Baker who says Surrey and Sussex PCTs have decided not to fund treatment with Herceptin.

Mr Baker says patients like Mrs Tipler are suffering from a postcode lottery '“ a problem the Government promised to eradicate.

Mrs Tipler believes she has been refused the drug solely on the grounds of cost.

She said: 'I am very downhearted.

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'My consultant told me there's a risk of my cancer returning.

'I understand from Cancer Bacup that women in many other counties are now receiving herceptin for early breast cancer.

'I feel that I am being discriminated against simply because I live in Sussex.'

In November this year Secretary of State for Health Patricia Hewitt said cost should not be a reason for PCTs to deny herceptin to suitable patients.

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A statement from Eastbourne Downs PCT said: 'Eastbourne Downs PCT understand how difficult the position is for this patient and her family and are very mindful of her personal circumstances.

At the same time, we must also make sure that the NHS is providing the best service it can and is offering the most appropriate treatment for a patient.

'This is not yet a licensed drug for early stage breast cancer and there are a number of clinical concerns.

'The Sussex Cancer Network and the Primary Care Trusts' chief executives who commission cancer services for the network have agreed that until safety issues are resolved we would not feel it appropriate to advocate its prescription. If clinicians, having discussed the risks with individual patients, decide to prescribe the drug, the risks are carried by them and the hospital for which they work. As with all new treatments, the costs have to be contained within current budgets.

'The NHS has a duty to ensure that patient safety is paramount and that any medication prescribed has been shown to be safe.'