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NI patients have longer drug wait NI patients have longer drug wait
(about 1 hour later)
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.
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. 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.