New guidance to speed up access to the drugs patients need
Lord Howe today announced new guidance on the Cancer Drugs Fund, which will help speed up access to the drugs patients need.
It will mean in most cases patients will be able to access drugs within a matter of days of an application being made to the Fund.
Health Minister Lord Howe said:
“Our priority is to ensure that cancer patients get the drugs their doctors believe are best for them.
“Today we have issued new guidance on the Cancer Drugs Fund which will further speed up applications for drugs as they will not normally need to go through the PCT funding processes prior to applying to the Fund. This will ensure patients get the fastest possible access to the drugs they need.
“We will also undertake an audit of the Cancer Drugs Fund, which will provide evidence from drugs funded through the Fund for the benefit of wider NHS practice.”
The Department has worked with NHS colleagues to review the guidance issued in 2011, taking into account public feedback from cancer charities, to ensure cancer patients are able to better access the drugs they need.
**Notes to editors
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- For press enquiries, please call the Department of Health on: 020 7210 5221.
- To view the guidance please visit the Department of Health website.