Jenny Randerson demands urgent clarification from Edwina on cancer drugs

10.53.30am GMT Fri 6th Feb 2009

Jenny Randerson is deeply concerned by the mixed messages from the Government

Jenny Randerson AM has written to the Minister for Health, Edwina Hart AM to demand urgent clarification over the issue of life-prolonging cancer drugs.

On Wednesday, following a demonstration outside the Senedd by Jenny Randerson's constituent, Mr Peter Ataou, and other sufferers of Multiple Myeloma, the Minister indicated to Jenny Randerson in plenary that she would issue guidance to LHBs asking them to pre-empt the expected NICE decision on the drug Lenalidomide.

But a WAG spokesperson later told the South Wales Echo that the Minister had not indicated any change in approach.

Jenny Randerson AM said: "I am deeply concerned about the mixed messages from the Government. You can not stand up in plenary and say one thing and then have your spokesperson say the complete opposite later that day.

"The record of proceedings clearly shows that the Minister said yes to my request that she issues guidance to the LHBs asking them to pre-empt the guidance. It would be heartless to then turn around to Multiple Myeloma sufferers and say the opposite."

Notes:

A copy of Jenny Randerson's letter to Edwina Hart is attached.

Dear Edwina,

I am writing to you as a matter of urgency to ask for clarification regarding the issue of the funding of Lenalidomide which I raised with you in plenary on Wednesday.

My impression from your answer was that you would instruct LHBs to fund the drug before the expected final NICE guidance is published in April.

The Record from plenary shows this:

Jenny Randerson: You may be aware of the case of my constituent, Peter Ataou, who has been protesting outside the Assembly today. I hope that I can give you good news on his case. By some strange coincidence, following the publication of the story of the protest, yesterday afternoon, the local health board rang him up and said that his appeal for the life-prolonging drug Revlimid, otherwise known as lenalidomide, had been granted. Mr Ataou has fought for six months on this case. It started with the unedifying spectacle of the trust and the LHB arguing about who was responsible for paying for this drug. Will you look again at this issue? In the light of the fact that LHBs and trusts are about to merge, it is truly stupid that they are arguing about who is responsible for payment. In the light of your letter about this drug, which was received last week, could you issue guidance to LHBs that they should, if you like, anticipate the result of the draft guidance that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has already issued, which we fully expect to be implemented in April, which states that this drug should be made available to sufferers of multiple myeloma, because it will help to prolong their lives?

Edwina Hart: On a personal level, we would all be pleased that this matter has been resolved to your constituent's satisfaction. The case has provided me with interesting information about how things work or do not work in the NHS with regard to these issues. I am happy to say 'yes' to both points that you have raised.

As you can imagine, the Multiple Myeloma patients watching plenary from the public gallery were delighted with your response. However, in yesterday's South Wales Echo, an Assembly Government spokesperson was quoted as saying:

"Decisions on accessing Lenalidomide remain a matter for LHBs to consider if they get requests from clinicians. The Minister has not indicated any change to this approach for Lenalidomide."

I believe that you made a clear indication in plenary that you would issue guidance to LHBs and bring about a change in this approach in responding to my question.

I am therefore asking for urgent clarification that you do intend, as you said in plenary that you would issue guidance to LHBs asking them to anticipate the result of the NICE guidance before April.

I look forward to your response.

Yours Sincerely,

JENNY RANDERSON AM

Ends/

WELSH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS DEMOCRATIAID RHYDDFRYDOL CYMRU