Drugs campaign support

(Cancer patients Vera Saunderson (left)and Allister Murphy (right), along with Rosin Foster, Cancer Focus NI chief executive, present a petition of more than 24,000 names to Health Minister Jim Wells (picture by Brian Morrison). INCT 41-799-CON

Mr Beggs said: “There is an issue of equality in relation to provision of certain drugs in the United Kingdom, with life extending drugs being offered at present in England and the Scottish Government recently expanding their own drugs fund. No such fund exists in Northern Ireland at present.

“There is a very real sense of frustration that drugs are not available in Northern Ireland, and it gives the impression that there is a post code lottery in the United Kingdom in relation to health.”

The Ulster Unionist representative added: “I recently attended a Cancer Focus NI campaign presentation at Stormont where over 20,000 email and postcard pledges were unveiled. Local activist Vera Saunderson was also in attendance and I commend her for her campaigning to date on the issue.”