Pensioner denied life-saving drugs

9:01am Saturday 24th March 2007

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A man with 11 grandchildren who has a terminal illness has been told he will not receive funding for a drug that would help to prolong his life.

Ken Abrey was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, often known as asbestos cancer, just after Christmas last year and told he had six to nine months to live.

"They gave me six to nine months and this would increase that by maybe four to five months, possibly even more."

Ken Abrey

But after contacting The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation he was put in touch with a doctor in Leeds and told about a drug called pemetrexed, or alimta, that would add four to five months to his life.

Ken, 69, told the Richmond and Twickenham Times he cannot get the drug on the NHS and would need £8,000 to pay for it himself.

"It wouldn't cure my disease," said Ken. "But it would slow it down. They gave me six to nine months and this would increase that by maybe four to five months, possibly even more.

"But I can't get it on the NHS, I can't get it unless I pay for it."

Ken, who lives in Robin Close, Hampton, said he went to Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust (PCT) who said they would fund it but told him as he attends a GP surgery in Hanworth he falls under Hounslow PCT.

"Richmond transferred me to Hounslow but they told me I wouldn't get it. Hounslow never get any of my money, Richmond do, but I fall under Hounslow. I can't understand why it was transferred.

"I feel gutted, I think it's ridiculous. I can put in an appeal but I don't think it would work and wouldn't be in time for me. I need to get the money to pay for it.

"It's heart-breaking that I could spend more time with my family but I need £8,000 to get the drug. I am a pensioner, my wife is a pensioner, I can't come up with that sort of money."

Ken said his four daughters, son and 11 grandchildren were very upset about the news and were doing what they can.

"They have been very good," he added. "And they are trying to get the money but I don't think it will be any use."

A spokesperson from Hounslow PCT said individual cases could not be discussed but the decision had been considered by its clinical priority setting panel.

She added part of the decision for declining treatment was that the drug has not yet been approved by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) and an appeal against the decision could be made.

Richmond and Twickenham PCT were contacted but were not available to comment.