Oldham ahead in drugs spending

PATIENTS in Oldham have more cash spent on them for prescription cancer drugs than other areas of the country.

Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said that figures released under the Freedom of Information Act showed that on average PCTs in England spent £390.17 per patient on prescription cancer drugs.

More cash is spent in Oldham with £437.61.

Steve Sutcliffe, interim director of finance for Oldham Primary Care Trust, said: “The PCT decides its spending priorities based on the health needs of people in Oldham. We have discussed with local people and partners about where we should be concentrating our efforts. This is part of our work to put together a plan outlining the PCT’s priorities for the next five years.

“We aim to focus our efforts on the areas that will have the biggest impact on reducing ill health. These include vascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancer and mental health.”

The Tories say the spending is based on cancer patients who need drugs from a pharmacy and does not include costs for chemotherapy or in hospital treatment.

Across the country spending varied from £150.51 per patient paid by the lowest spender Barnsley compared with Mid Essex PCT paying £594.55 per patient.