Drug firm praised over cancer compassion

Ian Bowers, 41, was diagnosed with a rare endocrine system cancer in January 2008 and was told the drug Sutent could help him.

After three appeals, however, NHS Derbyshire County refused to pay for the drug and a fundraising drive was instead set up by his friends and family.

About 12,000 was raised and Mr Bowers and his wife Jane, from Cromford, near Matlock, also pulled together an additional 8,000 to pay for five courses of treatment.

The drug proved effective immediately and scans showed a continual reduction of the tumours in Mr Bowers' lungs but the money was running out. Now, the Pfizer drug company has offered to fund the Sutent indefinitely.

Mrs Bowers, 42, said: "I'm just so relieved this humiliating battle and the constant stress is now over.

"As Ian is so unique, it's highly unlikely there will be another patient with non-genetic metastatic phaeochromocytoma for decades. Pfizer has shown more compassion and humanity than NHS Derbyshire County."

Mr Bowers, a former support worker for people with learning difficulties, said: "About 12 months ago I was bedridden and was even having difficulty feeding myself.

"The drug had proved to be effective in other cases but the NHS wouldn't pay for the funding.

"We are so grateful to the people who helped raise money and donated cash and to the drug company who are providing the treatment for me."

Dr Corinne Camilleri-Ferrante, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Derbyshire County, said that the trust considers treatment on a case-by-case basis.

She said: "Often we have to make very difficult decisions as we do not have infinite resources."