Lung Cancer Medicines

Baroness Merron Excerpts

Wednesday 14th February 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

The noble Lord raises a good point, and I agree with it. Since 2016, the cancer drugs fund, worth £340 million per year, has delivered faster access for tens of thousands of NHS patients to some of the most promising new cancer medicines—in some cases, up to eight months faster, including for Pembrolizumab and Selpercatinib. These are two very important drugs, and the hope is that they will be successful moving forward. Only time will tell, but the Government are committed to introducing life-saving drugs.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The Pharmaceutical Journal found last year that inequity of access through the compassionate use programme has become a significant issue, with some trusts not using the programme at all. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that new and existing patients across the country will be able to access Mobocertinib and other treatments for lung cancer?

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

I thank the noble Baroness for that question. As I have outlined in my previous answers, to the best of my knowledge, the existing drug will be allowed but some of the newer ones will be introduced and available. If the noble Baroness knows of specific trusts that do not make this available, I ask her to please let me know and I will look into it.