Cancer patient 'abandoned' by drug refusal

A CANCER patient last night said he felt "completely abandoned" after health chiefs refused to pay for a new drug which could prolong his life.

Fred Binch, 78, of Scarborough, has been given no treatment against kidney cancer since December.

His final hope lay in the drug everolimus but bosses at North Yorkshire's primary care trust (PCT) have turned down an appeal against an original decision refusing to provide the drug, which costs 99 a day.

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Yesterday, Mr Binch said his condition was deteriorating. He was in pain and suffering from breathing problems, dizziness and nausea.

"There is nowhere else to go now," he said. "The last time I saw the consultant he said there was nothing he could do for me apart from this drug."

Julia Black, of the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer, which is supporting Mr Binch, condemned the decision which followed a series of bureaucratic delays.

"I can't believe they have been so callous and heartless to refuse it especially given all the mistakes they have made in dealing with it," she said.

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David Geddes, medical director at the PCT, said he could not comment on the case due to patient confidentiality.

"Everolimus is a drug that has been developed to help treat the

symptoms of other forms cancer but is not a cure."