Brain Tumour Research has joined forces with other national cancer charities and patient representative organisations in calling for the interests of people affected by cancer to be safeguarded throughout the second phase of Brexit negotiations.
In a letter to Jeremy Hunt MP, Health Secretary and Greg Clark MP, Business Secretary, the Access to Cancer Medicines Coalition has warned that we must ensure the UK retains prompt access to the most innovative cancer treatments and the ability to collaborate on the development of new drugs through clinical trials.
Last November, the APPG on Brain Tumours agreed that such safeguards are necessary to ensure that ensure that brain tumour researchers and patients continue to benefit from a relationship with the EU that does not hinder scientific progress or access to drugs and treatments.
For example, accessing EU-wide clinical trials is key for developing new brain tumour drugs because it enables the inclusion of a sufficient number of patients with specific types of brain tumours such as Children, Teenagers and Young adults (CTYA). UK only trials could struggle to find enough participants for new drugs to be tried and tested.
The Coalition stated to Ministers that EU-UK regulatory alignment is critical if we are serious about improving outcomes for people affected by cancer in the UK.
Yesterday, Brexit negotiators negotiators Michel Barnier and David Davis agreed on a "large part" of the agreement that will lead to the "orderly withdrawal" of the UK. Brain Tumour Research and the Access to Cancer Medicines Coalition will continue to raise awareness of these issues, ensuring brain tumour patients and their families do not fall between the cracks of any transitional period agreements.
Read the full letter from the Coalition to Government Ministers here.
About the Access to Cancer Medicines Coalition
The Access to Cancer Medicines Coalition (ACMC) brings together 24 cancer charities and patient representative organisations. Its aim is to ensure that cancer patients have timely access to the most clinically effective medicines for their condition on the NHS, and using our combined knowledge, experience and contact with people affected by cancer we will ensure that the patient voice is strongly heard in both public conversations and official decision-making relating to access.