Improving access to cancer drugs and treatment

Andrew Wilson - Rarer Cancers Foundation Back to top

Andrew Wilson is chief executive at Rarer Cancers Foundation.

• The Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) has been a success story with 23,000 patients benefiting and 96 drugs funded.  It is an improvement on the Individual Funding Request system, which undermined patient choice and introduced an inappropriate idea of ‘exceptionality’.
• The future of the CDF is uncertain. It will move to the Commissioning Board in April 2013 and the funding, due to end in 2014, has not been ringfenced. If it does not continue 80,000 patients could lose out during the next parliament.
• There needs to be a clear transition to the new Value-Based Pricing model, and its development needs to be transparent and involve patients.

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Sarah Woolnough - Cancer Research UK Back to top

Sarah Woolnough is executive director of policy & research at Cancer Research UK.

• Radiotherapy is the ‘unsung hero’ of cancer treatment.  It is curative, cost effective and cutting edge.  However, currently 30,000 patients who need radiotherapy are missing out.
• The prime minister recently announced a £15m Radiotherapy Innovations Fund (RIF).
• Although the £15m is welcome there is still a significant shortfall in funding to meet demand and replace old linear accelerators.

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Rose Woodward - Rarer Cancers Foundation Back to top

• The process for challenging National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) decisions can be complex and confusing for patients  The NICE process could be more patient centred.

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