Health

‘Two-tier’ health system denies public patient life-extending cancer drug

Imfinzi – which European Commission approved for treatment of bile duct cancer last year – has yet to be evaluated by NCPE

Imfinzi (durvalumab) was approved by the European Commission for treating bile duct cancer in conjunction with chemotherapy last December

A Galway businessman has criticised the “two-tier” health system that is denying him access to a new drug to treat his terminal cancer.

James Hastings, who runs a tyre repair business in Kinvara in Co Galway, was diagnosed with stage four bile duct cancer just last month.

The 41-year-old father of three young boys has been told that a new drug called Imfinzi (durvalumab) could help prolong his life and even potentially cure the cancer.