Another British Woman In Court For New Breast Cancer Drug

Anne Marie Rogers has won the right to fight for receiving the new breast cancer drug, Herceptin. Ms Rogers has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer and wants to make sure that it does not spread.

However the fact that the disease is in its early stage has meant that the primary care trust is refusing to fund the treatment. Many women have already taken legal recourse for the same. Even Patricia Hewitt, the Health Secretary has been drawn into the issue, "I want to make it clear that PCTs should not refuse to fund Herceptin solely on the grounds of its cost." As far as Ms Rogers is concerned, she had borrowed £5,000 to pay for two courses, but could not afford the remaining amount. A full course of treatment costs £19,500. This means that both patients as well as PCTs are hard pressed to come up with the requisite funds. Ms Rogers approached the High Court in London where Mr Justice Charles ruled that her case had genuine merit. He ordered Swindon Primary Care Trust to continue the treatment till the case id reviewed in February. "I'm thrilled with the result. It has made my Christmas. I can now look forward to continuing my treatment, at least until the full hearing when I hope they will find that I should be given the complete course of treatment as prescribed by my doctor," Ms Rogers said after the trial.