By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    healthcare cybersecurity
    4 Helpful Tips on How to Protect Your Medical Practice Against Cyber Attacks
    October 24, 2021
    Health Check Diagnosis Medical Condition Analysis Concept
    6 Health Woes With Online Remedies
    January 19, 2022
    Eight Things Men Should Know About the Male Menopause
    Eight Things Men Should Know About the Male Menopause
    April 24, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Vermont Gov. Signs Single Payer Bill into Law
    May 26, 2011
    Pharma R & D Spending is Down
    July 2, 2011
    Healthcare Spend at Historic Low
    August 8, 2011
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: NHS Draws Ire of Public Over Cancer Drug Rationing
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health care > NHS Draws Ire of Public Over Cancer Drug Rationing
Health carePolicy & LawPublic Health

NHS Draws Ire of Public Over Cancer Drug Rationing

John Henning
John Henning
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

The NHS is regarded as one of the best healthcare systems in the world. However, it is under growing strain due to budget cuts, demographic changes, rising obesity rates and a higher prevalence of cancer. NHS policymakers have been forced to address these problems to lower costs, which has prompted them to drug rationing. Cancer drugs have been restricted more than many other types of medication.

NHS Rationing of Drugs Raises Political Ire and Debate Over Sustainability

The NHS primarily restricts access to medication that is geared for terminally ill patients. Some of these drugs can extend patient lifetimes by six months to a year. However, officials say that the benefit is not worth the cost, because it would force them to ration services to patients that could actually make a recovery. ??We know that people with cancer place great importance on drugs that can increase their life expectancy. For that reason we apply as much flexibility as we can when we look at new life-extending treatments. But the reality is that the price of trastuzumab emtansine [the generic name for Kadcyla] is currently too high in relation to the benefits it gives for it to be recommended for routine commissioning in the NHS, even taking into account the end-of-life criteria and the patient access scheme.? In December, many charities were furious after the NHS refuse to cover the breast cancer drug Kadcyla. The NHS responded to criticisms by stating that it cost 90,000 pounds a year for treatment. Charities responded by stating that it can extend a patient?s life expectancy by up to nine months. Research from the United States FDA shows that the average patient using Kadcyla will live another 5.8 more months. Rationing of drug therapies and other essential services are among the growing concerns universal healthcare systems around the world must contend with. As the median age of the population increases and younger patients continue to live less healthy lifestyles, rationing concerns will be larger than ever. The NHS and its counterparts around the world Will need to implement rationing fairly in the face of harsh political backlash. The NHS has since stated that it will continue to fund the drug after reaching a new deal that would make it more affordable. However, other drugs are still rationed, which raises a number of concerns. Patient advocacy groups continue to warn that rationing will come at a large cost to the country. Fiscal experts have other concerns. They fear that being too lenient with drug coverage will threaten the existence of the NHS and place undue burden on the taxpayers. ?Our country will need to make a choice with funding our limited healthcare resources,? said one physician I spoke with. ?The NHS does a better job providing healthcare to its citizens than most countries and we are lucky to have it. But at the end of the day, we must ask whether we should extend the life of an elderly, terminally ill patient by a few months or use those resources to save a young child that could make a full recovery. Those are hard choices citizens don?t want to hear about. The NHS doesn?t have the luxury of ignoring them. They must make these kind of calls every day. We must trust their judgment on these issues.? Financing healthcare will be more difficult as costs rise in the future. The NHS will do everything possible to make sure the needs of UK citizens are met without bankrupting taxpayers.

TAGGED:cancer drug rationingdrug rationing
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By John Henning
John Henning is a nutritionist, freelance writer, and food blogger that provides accessible nutrition info to help people live a healthier life. His unique approach to nutrition emphasizes nutrient-dense, whole foods and healthy habits rather than restrictive diets.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

9 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Add Years to Your Life
9 Healthcare Lifestyle Tweaks That can Add Years to Your Life
lifestyle
July 11, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

Medicaid to Fund ‘Stay-Healthy’ Incentive Programs

April 7, 2011

Medical Mistakes: To Err Is Human – Yes and No?

July 26, 2014
NewsPublic Health

Smokers Die Ten Years Sooner Than Nonsmokers

February 15, 2013
Medical Education

ACOG’s Dysmenorrhea FAQs: Evidence of Propaganda?

September 19, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?