h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Herceptin is a drug which aids women fighting breast cancer. It is not approved by NICE, however several patients have taken their local health authorities to court, saying that denying them Herceptin is against their human rights. Some patients have managed to get it with interesting moral repercussions.

A hospital in eastern England had to fund a patients Herceptin to the tune of £1.9 million a year. The only way it could afford this was to withhold treatment from 355 other cancer patients.

A case where the human right of one woman to live has been seen as more important than the human rights of 355 other people. I personally believe that all patients should have whatever treatment they need regardless of cost, but of course that is not practical and harsh decisions have to be made. But is this the result we want?

It certainly isn't kaz.It's time something was done about the health service ..i find it appalling that people can't have any treatment that will prolong their lives,as long as they aren't going to prolong any suffering.
It is the same with the velcade three,who have gone to the courts to try and get the drug.
I know that these drugs have to be tested,and if these wome are willing ,then that would be a way of providing the drug for them.I'm sure if they were offered the chance they'd take it!!

I recently read of a new drug which hadn't been tested but which held a lot of hope. It was probably the one you mentioned. I think if you are facing a terminal illness then why not try something which could cure you - even if untested, at least you would feel you were doing something positive, which I believe makes quite a difference.