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Calls for reassurance from Health Minister over "limiting" arthritis drugs - Turlough Murphy
Published: 25 November, 2008
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Councillor Turlough Murphy has called on Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to reassure suffers of rheumatoid arthritis that they will be allowed to try alternative versions if the first drug they are being administered with stops working.
His call follows news that The NHS drugs advisory body The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence planned to ration patients in England, Wales and The North of Ireland to one anti-TNF drug each
Councillor Murphy said
"Its vital that the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey reassures suffers of rheumatoid arthritis they will be allowed try alternative versions if the first drug they are being administered with stops working.
There are fears that cutting the anti-TNF (anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha) options from three to one, combined with a decision earlier this year to reject another arthritis drug for NHS use means patients' treatment choices will be severely limited.
Whilst we must always be looking at ways of making efficiency savings in our health service I feel cutting the availability to drugs that may enhance the lives of arthritis sufferers is wrong and a backward step .No two sufferers are the same and no one drugs can help each patient in the same way so its vital that we provide every option to patients to improve their quality of life and help slowing down the progress of their illness
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