Vale MP Alun Cairns has offered his full support to an Ogmore resident after learning the purchase of a lifesaving drug has left the family with an annual bill in excess of £25,000.
Elizabeth Richards, who worked for the NHS throughout her career, has appealed to the local health board for funding for the drug Avastin and Mr Cairns is calling for help to be provided to the family.
Mr Cairns met with Miss Richards after learning that since a cancer diagnosis in 2013, the entire cost in excess of £25,000 has been funded wholly by the family – with no funding coming from the NHS in Wales. For the past year Miss Richards has paid the huge sum for the drug Avastin, despite being in the knowledge that if she lived in England the drug would be provided free to the patient.
The family of Miss Richards has made an appeal to the local health board, and Mr Cairns believes this case highlights the urgent need for a review of many serious cases of financial hardship caused by large drug bills.
Miss Richards said: “To be denied the drug Avastin that is having such a positive effect is devastating. I am incredibly grateful to the support shown by my family and friends, but without this drug my life is going to be significantly shortened.”
Mr Cairns said: “For an individual and family to have to shoulder the financial burden for a drug that works so effectively is nothing short of scandalous. I do not wish to criticise the staff in the hospitals who perform a magnificent job. However, an individual that is receiving such an effective drug should not have to pay such an enormous amount of money simply because they happen to live in Wales.
This is a stark and very upsetting example of how health policy in Wales can impact upon people’s lives. I would ask, how many people can afford to spend £2,000 per month on a potentially lifesaving drug? The family do not have an endless pot of savings and after having met with the family at such an emotional time I am simply outraged.”