Call to over-rule drug refusal

A judge has asked an NHS panel to reconsider its decision to refuse a powerful cancer drug to a woman who is the sole carer of her seriously ill husband. Jean Murphy, 63, of Cleveland Avenue, Salford, Greater Manchester, took her case to London's High Court after Salford Primary Care Trust refused exceptional funding for the drug sunitinib which her consultant said would give her a few more months to live. Known as Sutent, the drug is being tested for kidney cancer and stomach tumours, but is not yet widely available on the NHS. Mr Justice Burnett said the commissioning panel who looked at the application had failed to consider the matter "in the round", including the factor that she was responsible for her husband's day-to-day care and needs. "I have come to the conclusion that I am not able to say that the decision would... [read full story]