Time to end the two-tier cancer treatment divide
- Public cancer patients left behind
- Labour proposes new early-access programme
Labour’s Health Spokesperson and General Election candidate in Fingal East, Duncan Smith TD, has raised the alarm over the growing inequality in Ireland’s two-tier health system, as public cancer patients face unacceptable delays in accessing potentially lifesaving treatments.
Following calls from the Irish Cancer Society, Deputy Smith has outlined the reasons for immediate action to address this critical issue.
Deputy Smith said:
“It is deeply concerning that the Irish Cancer Society has highlighted the failure of Ireland’s two-tier health system to provide public cancer patients with the same timely access to potentially lifesaving treatments as their private counterparts. Private patients benefit from swift access to European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved anti-cancer drugs, while public patients can be left waiting two years to find out if they will even gain access to the same medicines. This is simply unacceptable.
“We know there is a growing public-private divide in access to new medicines and drugs, particularly in oncology. It is a glaring example of how the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Governments have failed to address the structural inequalities in our health system.”
Deputy Smith pointed to international examples of early access schemes for oncology patients:
“Countries such as Belgium, Denmark, France, and Spain already operate early-access programmes to ensure cancer patients can benefit from the latest EMA-approved treatments while awaiting full reimbursement approvals. Ireland is lagging behind.
“We are calling for a clinically led pilot programme, overseen by the National Cancer Control Programme, that would allow oncologists to prescribe EMA-approved medicines for public patients without the current two-year delay.
“This is not just about numbers or waiting times; it is about real people who are fighting for their lives. The Labour Party is committed to delivering a fair and equitable healthcare system where every patient has access to the treatments they need, when they need them.”