NHS backs down: patient denied life-saving prescription will now get treatment

The NHS have overturned a decision to stop prescribing a Lower Morden resident with a life-saving drug. The U-turn follows a debate into the matter in the House of Commons called by Siobhain.

Mr Aziz needs regular doses of Viagra - a drug which treats pulmonary heart disease as well as other non-life threatening conditions - and despite being backed by eminent world-leading doctors, had his request for the drug turned down by Sutton and Merton NHS.

For details of the case raised by Siobhain in the debate, click here.

Following the debate, Siobhain called a meeting with local health bosses which she attended alongside Mr Aziz. It was also attended by Mr Aziz's consultant, one of the world's experts in chest conditions, Professor Brendan Madden.

As a result of the meeting, the local NHS have backed down, and Mr Aziz will now get the treatment he needs.

A relieved Siobhain said:

"It should never have come to this. The way Mr Aziz has been treated has been appalling. But I am so pleased that after I got involved the local NHS has backed down. The drug he needs costs just £5,000 a year, and even though money is tight and the Government is reducing public spending, there is no excuse. £5,000 is not too much for a man's life."