The Pat Kenny Show Public cancer patients being denied new drugs
Sep 29, 2025
Dr. Michael McCarthy, a consultant oncologist at Galway University Hospital, discusses the shocking inequality in access to new cancer drugs for public patients compared to those with private insurance. He outlines the regulatory challenges that allow drugs to be approved yet remain unavailable publicly. Dr. McCarthy highlights specific life-saving medications like dostarlimab that are denied to many and proposes a co-funded early-access program to improve patient outcomes. His insights reveal the urgent need for equitable healthcare in cancer treatment.
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Rapid Drug Advances Outrunning Public Access
- New cancer treatments are emerging rapidly across nearly all cancer types, outpacing public access systems.
- Dr. Michael McCarthy warns the access gap between public and private patients is widening as approvals accelerate.
EMA Approval Isn’t A Public Access Guarantee
- European Medicines Agency approval shows safety and effectiveness but doesn't guarantee public availability.
- Dr. Michael McCarthy notes some EMA-approved drugs have large benefits yet remain inaccessible in public hospitals.
Insurance Enables Access; Self-Pay Is Not Viable Publicly
- Insurers generally reimburse new drugs in private hospitals, and self-pay in public hospitals is not permitted.
- Dr. Michael McCarthy highlights that private access often requires full private hospital costs, not just drug price.