On Tuesday 19th January, Jo Churchill MP took part in a debate regarding the removal of drugs from the Cancer Drugs Fund list, in Westminster Hall.
Mrs Churchill raised her concerns for the efficacy of the Fund particularly in relation to delayed diagnoses and delivery of curative treatments as well as a lack of data to understand the success of cancer medicines on patients.
Mrs Churchill spoke of the experiences of her constituents, including the battle of one family to deliver life-saving medicines and for the need to avoid the obstacles to effective treatments.
After the debate, Mrs Churchill said: “Drugs can and should be considered common place alongside surgery and chemotherapy as part of an effective cancer care package, to provide the clinician but more importantly the patient with choice. It is essential future changes to the Cancer Drugs Fund deliver a flexible and responsive system to cope, where new treatments are readily available to those in need. I have made it clear to the Minister of my concerns, as a double cancer survivor, of what it takes to ensure we save the lives of cancer patients.”
