Ban on top-up payments lifted

UK health secretary Alan Johnson today lifted the ban on top-up payments, allowing cancer patients to pay for drugs denied them by the National Health Service (NHS).

In some cases the NHS has previously withdrawn treatment from patients who supplement their care with drugs bought with their own money, to stick to the 'equal care for all' founding principles.

Concerns have been expressed that allowing top-ups would create a two-tier health system but the minister added he wanted to ensure "we don't undermine the basic principles of the NHS - treatment available to all, free at the point of use and irrespective of your background".

The national institute for health and clinical excellence (NICE), is also expected to be told to give greater priority to drugs which extend a patient's life by a few months; treatments previously ruled out because they were not considered cost-effective.

NICE is also expected to offer advice on effectiveness of drugs, which can cost tens of thousands of pounds, not available on the NHS.

Chief executive of Cancer Research UK Harpal Kumar said: "We very much welcome the broad package of measures announced by Alan Johnson. It strikes the right balance between significantly improving access to effective medicines for cancer patients and not giving a blank cheque to pharmaceutical companies.

“If all of the measures announced today are taken forward, tens of thousands of cancer patients will benefit.

“But these recommendations must now be pushed through as quickly as possible. Every day of delay will mean more lives lost to cancer and frustration for cancer patients and their families.”

Read the full report: "Improving access to medicines for NHS patients - A report for the Secretary of State for Health by Professor Mike Richards CBE"