First Minister wrong about cancer drugs availability

Alex Salmond got it wrong in FMQs today – there are cancer drugs available in England and Wales, but not in Scotland, despite what he says.

Speaking after FMQs, Annabel Goldie MSP, Scottish Conservative Leader, said:

"Quite simply the First Minster got it wrong today. I asked him about the fact that there are specific cancer drugs available in England and Wales, but not available in Scotland. He claimed that 'it is wrong to say we don't have access to a range of drugs, it's just not true'.

"But there is a range of cancer drugs which can be accessed via a special Cancer Drugs Fund in England and Wales, but not in Scotland.

"Individuals across Scotland who suffer from cancer should not be put in a worse position by the Scottish Government than cancer sufferers south of the border. Scottish Conservatives believe that it is unacceptable there are expensive cancer drugs, recommended by doctors, available to patients in England and Wales, which are not available in Scotland.

"The commitment of the UK Government to set up a Cancer Drugs Fund has been warmly received by cancer sufferers, their families and campaign groups in England and Wales. We believe it is time the Scottish Government now took similar action.

"That is why we are proposing a Scottish Cancer Drugs Fund of up to £10m per year to help provide the expensive drugs that prolong life. The SMC will continue to recommend NHS funding for drugs which are regarded as clinical and cost effective, but this additional funding will help cancer patients access other vital drugs their clinicians think they need.

"In England, an interim fund has already been established, and I will press this case with the First Minister when we meet."

1) Scottish Conservatives have opposed free prescription charges for those who can afford to pay.

This will free up £37m of NHS funding, up to £10m of which we have earmarked for a Scottish Cancer Drugs Fund.

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