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Sunday, 14th March 2010

My brother died a fighter

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Published Date: 26 July 2006
A COURAGEOUS man with lung cancer, who died just hours after winning a fight to receive a drug to ease his suffering, has been described as "selfless" and "brave" by his brother.
By INGRID KENT
Chris Bould said brother Paul had made him "profoundly proud" for continuing to battle Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust for the drug Tarceva, despite his immense pain.
Rather than stay in London where he could receive Tarceva on the NHS, Paul returned to Morecambe to continue his fight so that others in a similar plight could receive the drug.
Last Wednesday Paul won his High Court battle after appealing against the PCT's decision not to pay the £1,500 per month for his medication.
But, tragically, Paul died in the early hours of Thursday (July 20).
Chris said it was a bitter battle and the PCT's unwillingness to pay had made his brother all the more determined to win.
Described by Chris as "stubborn" and with a great sense of humour, Paul wanted his legacy to be that people similarly affected by cancer would be entitled to Tarceva in the Morecambe area.
Although Paul's condition was
terminal, the drug did ease his suffering and could have prolonged his life. He said it stopped him coughing and made it easier to breathe. Up until the court victory Chris had been paying for the treatment, prescribed by Paul's doctor.
Drug
Paul, who lived at Sulby Grove in Bare, appeared on national TV to promote his campaign. His lawyer, Yogi Amin, also helped Ann Marie Rogers to win her fight to receive the breast cancer drug, Herceptin.
Chris, who grew up in Morecambe and is now a freelance producer and director at the BBC in London, said: "Had Paul had Tarceva earlier it would have had more of an effect.
"He wanted the drug by rights. Often those very close to Paul didn't realise he was in abject suffering. I don't know how he did what he did."
Chris was appalled that Morecambe Bay PCT would not sanction the drug: "It was a licensed drug and yet they would not pay for it. Paul couldn't get a straight answer out of them. It was despicable.
"Paul felt that for the sake of others he had to go back to Morecambe. It was a completely selfless act. I'm proud of my brother for many reasons, but I'm ultra proud of him for fighting to the end. He just wanted to make that final point."
Paul went to Sandylands Primary School, Lancaster Road Primary School and Morecambe Grammar School and more recently had a waste tyre disposal business in Lancaster. He leaves a son, Dean, and daughter, Julia, as well as Chris, his brother Martin and sister Carole.
A statement from the PCT said the trust had looked at the evidence relating to Tarceva and said the drug was not a cure. It said it had to make the best use of "finite available funds" and had to prioritise funding.
The PCT said it intends to explain the reasons behind its decision at a full High Court hearing.

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    • Last Updated: 26 July 2006 9:45 AM
    • Source: n/a
    • Location: Morecambe
     
     
     


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