NHS nurse Sue Murray told she can't retire despite suffering thyroid cancer

Sue Murray, an NHS nurse for 35 years, had her thyroid gland removed because of cancer.

Her consultant told her natural dessicated thyroid or NDT, a drug widely used in America but not licensed in the UK, would significantly improve her health and quality of life.

Her consultant is able and willing to prescribe the drug, which is cheaper and more effective than the one she is currently on.

Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group has refused to sanction the drug.

She said: “Basildon Hospital said I could trial NDT even though it was unlicensed. My consultant feels it’s the only chance I have of normal blood levels. Unfortunately, even though it’s cheaper the clinical commissioning group panel has refused the medication, saying it’s off licence and there is not any solid evidence it would work.

“I’ve been refused my NHS pension on the grounds that if I receive the promised NDT - I would feel so well I would be able to return to my work.”

Mrs Murray added: “Basildon Clinical Commissioning Group, says it won’t work so I can’t have it, so this leaves me only on statutory sick pay with no tablets, no hope my condition will improve and high risk of the cancer coming back.”

Mrs Murray, 54, from Wickford, already faced a battle to be prescribed thyronine T3, which is expensive in the UK, after her condition failed to improve on the cheaper and more widely prescribed thyroxine T4.

After the Echo highlighted the plight of such patients, Mrs Murray was given T3, but it has not worked as well as she had hoped.

A spokeswoman for the CCG, said: “The prescribing of unlicensed liothyronine and thyroid extract products is not supported as the safety, quality and efficacy of these products cannot be assured. This position is supported by the British Thyroid Association, the Royal College of Physicians and the Regional Medicines Optimisation Committee.”