Bolton cancer patients fare well in 'postcode lottery'

8:17pm Monday 11th August 2008

NEW figures show that most patients in Bolton suffering from rare cancers are getting access to appropriate drugs.

The Rarer Cancers Forum carried out the study into decisions taken by primary care trusts (PCTs) since October, 2006, in response to requests by patients for “exceptional drugs”, including treatments like Herceptin and Sutent. The charity obtained the details for 62 of England’s 152 PCTs under the Freedom of Information Act.

Results showed only one of seven applications made by patients in Bolton was rejected, while, nationally, one in four exceptional requests for treatments were denied. The study uncovered wide variations across England in the number of patients granted access to medicines, leading to further accusations of a “postcode lottery”.