​Claims that some hospital doctors are being blocked from using a medicine for the treatment of severe sepsis for financial reasons is a worrying example of the way that some healthcare decisions are still being determined by cost rather than merit, said the ABPI.

It means that a postcode lottery still exists for patients, so that treatments available to one hospital may not be in others.

"This is an unjust situation that should not be allowed to continue. Patients must have access to the best medicines available for their condition," said Andrew Curl, ABPI Deputy Director General.

The ABPI is also concerned that this illustrates another possible example of blight while the medicine awaits review by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). "The fact that NICE has not yet completed its review of this medicine should not be a reason for hospitals to deny its use. This is exactly what NICE was set up to stop," Mr Curl said.

For further information, please contact: ABPI Press Office 020 7747 1410