Ministers poised to allow top-up drugs within NHS

Fears of a two-tier NHS were growing today after it was claimed ministers were preparing to allow patients to pay for their own "top-up" drugs.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson is reported to be poised to relax the ban on NHS patients paying extra for life-extending medication. He is said to believe the current situation is unsustainable.

An independent review, due out next month, could make the case for changes which might lead to wealthier patients living longer because they have been able to buy more expensive drugs not available on the NHS.

It comes after a public outcry over the death in March of Linda O'Boyle, a grandmother denied free NHS treatment after buying a drug to treat her bowel cancer. There have been a string of reports of other patients being refused NHS care after buying drugs for cancers of the kidney, bowel, lung, breast and multiple myeloma.

A Health Department source denied a decision on "co payments" had been made.

The independent review, launched in June, is being carried out by national cancer director Professor Mike Richards.

According to The Times, it is likely to cap the amount that patients are allowed to spend on top-up drugs, and may say patients will have to pay for any associated costs incurred by the NHS, such as treatment for side effects.

Critics argue that such changes would lead to a two-tier system and undermine the NHS, where care is given according to need, not ability to pay.