Sir, – The European Medicines Agency has recently approved the use of Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine). This is a very welcome development in the treatment of women with advanced ovarian cancers. Advanced ovarian cancer is treatable but not curable. I unfortunately am one of those patients.
As with all new drugs, it will take time before it can be prescribed for patients.
The reason I’m writing this letter is to highlight the fact that this drug will only be available to patients with private health insurance who attend private hospitals. It could be three years before it will be available to patients who are in the public system. Everyone is aware that a two-tier health system operates in this country. This is just another example of how wrong this is. It is a disgrace that patients in the public system are not treated equally to those patients who have private health insurance.
Surely everyone should be entitled to the treatment they need, when they need it regardless of their financial circumstances. This drug has proven it can prolong survival time for women with advanced ovarian cancers. Quality time with their loved ones is priceless. The Government should be making a priority of funding drugs like this and speeding up accessibility. – Yours, etc,
ANN O’REILLY,
Barna,
Galway.