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| NI patients have longer drug wait | NI patients have longer drug wait |
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| People in Northern Ireland could wait longer than patients elsewhere in the UK to receive expensive drugs on the NHS, the BBC has learned. | People in Northern Ireland could wait longer than patients elsewhere in the UK to receive expensive drugs on the NHS, the BBC has learned. |
| In England and Wales there is a body which decides whether drugs represent value for taxpayers' money. | In England and Wales there is a body which decides whether drugs represent value for taxpayers' money. |
| If it thinks they do, it has three months to make them available. | If it thinks they do, it has three months to make them available. |
| However, a leaked letter seen by the BBC says NI health Boards and trusts have been given 12 to 24 months to bring in new treatments. | However, a leaked letter seen by the BBC says NI health Boards and trusts have been given 12 to 24 months to bring in new treatments. |
| They are able to manage to get the drugs in three months in England and Wales - I don't see why they're not able to do that in the same time here Seamus McAleerConsultant oncologist href="/1/hi/health/4134344.stm" class="">Q&A: What is NICE? The Department of Health has admitted factors like the different funding of the NHS in Northern Ireland could mean the introduction of some drugs being delayed. | |
| Consultant oncologist Seamus McAleer said: "It's not fair that Northern Ireland has to wait on NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) for a further year or two to get the benefits. | |
| "They are able to manage to get the drugs in three months in England and Wales - I don't see why they're not able to do that in the same time here." | |
| Decisions by NICE, the body responsible for deciding what medication and treatments should be available on the NHS, only apply in England and Wales. | |
| In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health advises it on implementation "in the context of the health service in Northern Ireland". | |
| The body often attracts controversy as it decides whether patients should get the drugs and treatment many of them believe they need. |