Though this story only directly affects my fellow Australians, it may be of interest to others who may see a moral in there somewhere.
Last week the PBS approved Erbitux for use for advanced colorectal cancer patients. This follows 12 months on from the approval of Avastin. Obviously they have seen that the cost of these biologics, in the overall scheme of things don't account for much of a slice of the Health Dept. budget. The rub is that last weekend Australia held a general election, there will be no clear winner and government will be formed by the party able to get support from Independents. This may be weeks away. Under the caretaker conventions, approval for the use of this drug is witheld until parliament can sit. Meanwhile, nothing happens.
Wayne