This is the UK blog of a 34 year old man from Sussex who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis last year, charting his attempts to get on with life, keep working, stay married and avoid being eaten by his Border Collie puppy.

Friday 8 August 2008

NHS, Cancer drugs and money

Arrgh its been a long time since I posted. I just thought that I'd repost a comment I maid on the beeb site over this cancer care money/drug debate shambles that's unfolding. People keep saying that if the money for the cancer drugs gets a patient 12 months of extra life but if that money was applied to a heart patient, they'd get 5 or so then you have to go for the heart guy and leave cancer dude to die. The logic of that is that I should, therefore, be executed by the state because a bullet is a one time expense of 4p whereas my interferon is an ongoing cost of £8,000 per year which also ensures I will need further medical interventions...

Added: Friday, 8 August, 2008, 07:04 GMT 08:04 UK

Hmm. So its all about money.

I have Multiple Sclerosis and the PCT funds my Beta Interferon, one of these expensive drugs you hear so much about (£8k per year). I will need this drug for many years, possibly decades. It allows me to work longer and pay more taxes. However, if its all about money, a 9mm bullet is about 4p and its application to my head would ensure that I needed no more of the money I and my family have paid to the NHS through our taxes. How is that any different to this?

Shaun, Newhaven


Comment thread on the BBC

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hope you're well. Just dropped by to say that I totally agreed with your post on Tom Harris' blog.

http://tomcharris.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/poking-that-sleeping-dog-with-a-stick/#comment-5648