Black comments on Kidney drug announcement

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th Sep 2009

Commenting on the decision by the Health Minister, Edwina Hart to accept NICE guidance and end funding of Avastin, Nexavar and Torisel as first line treatments and Sutent as a second line treatment for renal cancer, Peter Black AM, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Spokesperson said:

"This is a regrettable decision and a serious backwards step for kidney patients within Wales. While the Minister made the right choice in making the drugs available in the interim period, it means anyone diagnosed in future could lose out on medicines that could potentially help their treatment."

"If these drugs are now only available in 'exceptional clinical circumstances' then we must have guarantees that decisions will be taken quickly and by clinicians rather than accountants, and that there when the go-ahead is given it does not lead to a longer wait for treatment and further stress on the patient and their family."