Asda is to sell private prescription cancer drugs on a ‘not for profit’ basis from Monday.
The supermarket said the move would save patients up to 76% compared with the prescription costs at other pharmacists – which could amount to thousands of pounds on treatment.
“The crippling cost of paying privately for cancer treatment has forced many people to spend their savings or even re-mortgage their house to pay for these essential drugs,” said Asda superintendent pharmacist John Evans.
“We are the first retailer to recognise this injustice and to do something about it and we are calling on other retailers to follow our lead.”
The announcement covers all privately prescribed cancer drugs.
Asda will charge £2,167.71 for a month’s prescription of lung cancer drug Iressa, compared with £3,251.57 at Boots.
Tesco, Sainsbury and Superdrug have indicated they will also sell the drugs at cost price.
“Saving people money so they can live better is viewed by many as just the marketing slogan of our parent company, Walmart,” said new Asda chief executive Andy Clarke.
“However, when you see what we can achieve in areas like cancer and IVF treatments to reduce prices, the reality of that mission statement becomes very real and very personal.”
Macmillan Cancer Support welcomed the move.
“Asda’s commitment is good news for people who can afford to buy cancer drugs privately but for the majority of cancer patients this simply isn’t an option,” said Mike Hobday, head of campaigns and policy at Macmillan.
“We believe clinically effective drugs must be available to everyone on the NHS and not just to those who can afford to pay privately.”
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