Professor Michael Barry:

I think it can be done. There are a number of important points. The concept is that it would start with cancer drugs but that raises the ethical issue as to whether it should only be for cancer drugs or for everything. My own feeling is that if we are going to do it for one area, we are probably obliged to do it for other areas as well. Do all drugs go into an early access scheme or just some? Of course, it would not be mandatory for the industry. If not all, how would we decide? For example, if a cancer drug improves overall survival, regardless of how much overall survival it gives, would we include that? There are many other questions. We are earnestly looking into that and discussing with stakeholders and it will be widened out.