CHRONICLE CAMPAIGN ON THE AVAILABILITY OF ALIMTA IN THE NORTH EAST

Early day motion 1216, tabled 7 December 2005 by Fraser Kemp (Labour). Signed by 21 members.

That this House congratulates the Chronicle newspaper in the North East for launching a campaign to make Alimta, a life extending cancer drug, available on the NHS; notes that Alimta was developed in the North East and is available on the NHS in Liverpool, London and throughout Scotland but not in the North East; further notes that the drug could help up to 60 dying mesothelioma sufferers a year just in the North East and that the drug's manufacturer, Lilly, says the drug costs just £9,600 for a course; further notes that, although there is no cure for mesothelioma, Alimta lengthens sufferers' lives by three months and helps provide a better quality of life during the last weeks; and calls upon the Government to consider making the drug available in the North East.

Signatures by party: Labour 17, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1.