Woman given Herceptin after fight

Susie Flux had been told she did not qualify for Herceptin on the NHS

A woman who was refused the breast cancer drug Herceptin even after it had been officially approved has now been allowed the treatment on the NHS.

Susie Flux, of Eastbourne, Sussex, was paying £30,000 herself for the drug.

She had been told the drug was refused because she did not start it within six months of chemotherapy, as recommended.

Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust (PCT) said it did not have sufficient information at the time, but had now looked at her particular circumstances.

The 55-year-old woman, who has two daughters and two grandchildren, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2004.

We did not have sufficient information PCT statement

She finished chemotherapy in March 2005 and radiotherapy in July 2005, but said she was not told about Herceptin.

By the time she did her own research, she was outside the six month time band, she said.

A health trust statement said: "When the PCT first considered Mrs Flux's request for funding for the completion of her course of Herceptin, we did not have sufficient information to ensure that there was proper consideration of her case.

"Our own investigations and further information from her clinicians have now allowed the PCT to make a decision based on her particular circumstances.

"We would like to wish Mrs Flux well for the future."