Immunologist launches campaign to secure access to life-prolonging drug for cancer patients

The drug, also known as pembro, stimulates the body's immune system to fight cancer cells, and is licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) mainly for advanced cancers.

A leading immunologist has started a national search for people who have been refused funding to be treated with a drug that prolonged the life of cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan.

Prof Bernard Mahon has launched the search as part of his campaign to ensure everyone — regardless of whether you have private health insurance for not — has access to pembrolizumab.