Cancer drugs licensed between 2000 - 2016 took 14.3 years average to be available to UK NHS patients after patenting, according to Times

[Graham49]

The Times reported that the Institute for Cancer Research (Paul Workman) stated that the approvals process was too risk averse and that the system was not keeping pace with advances in science. Since then the Department of Health said a Cancer Drug Fund is delivering faster access to the most promising drugs.

[LearnAll]

Its about the expense. UK economy has been in shambles ,,due brexit ...no brexit...

referendum on independent scotland and other political problems..Growth rate of the economy has been low and the Govt wanted to control expense due to exorbitant prices of new cancer drugs. That is why NHS kept thinking for 14 years. Everyone knows Great Britain is no more Great when it comes to economy.

[TFBUNDY in reply to LearnAll]

Bollocks

[TommyTV in reply to LearnAll]

Absolute rubbish. We have one of the strongest economies in the world. NICE refuse to pay exorbitant prices for drugs. For example, Zytiga in the US is over $10,000 a month. In the U.K. it’s £2940. In India it’s £400. Why would the NHS fund a Pharma company selling the same drug so much cheaper elsewhere. The drug companies need to wake up. The NHS won’t be held to ransom.