The NHS is like a large sow with many teats, from which provider piglets draw succour. One of the most robust piglets in the sty is the pharmaceutical industry.

Take, for instance, the current debate about 'co-payments' for cancer patients. With NICE declining some products of marginal cost-effectiveness, industry is encouraging its compatriots in the medical profession and elsewhere to demand that where patients buy treatments declined by NICE, the administration of the drugs should be provided by the NHS.

In Tom Smith's temporary absence, Health Policy Today is a somewhat less full round-up than usual, but one story stuck out so much this had to appear.

Taxpayers' Alliance want NHS wages policy on managers' pay: Health Policy Today, 11th September 2008

It may seem strange, but it’s true. Today’s Daily Telegraph reports that the Taxpayers’ Alliance (slogan: campaigning for lower taxes and better government) have both been hiding their statist light under a highly convincing pro-market bushel.

by Andy Cowper, editor, Health Policy Insight

You know the old joke about mergers – ‘a merger is like two porcupines making love – it should be done carefully and slowly’?

Kings Fund debate 11 September 2008. What is fair – should patients be allowed to top up their care?

by Andy Cowper, editor, Health Policy Insight

This morning saw me out of bed disgustingly early to get the Kings Fund for their latest debate, What is fair: should patients be allowed to top up their NHS care?
Moderated by Kings Fund chief executive Niall Dixon, the panel of Andrew Dillon (NICE), Jo Webber (NHS Confederation), Karol Sikora (CancerPartnersUK and Reform) and Martin Gore (Royal Marsden) covered the issues thoroughly and thoughtfully.

Telegram Cam: Conservative leader's unambiguous signal of new Tory health policy

by Andy Cowper, editor, Health Policy Insight

Sunday is a 'good-bad' day for newspapers. The main political parties are all keen to use the Sundays to set the week's policy and political agenda.

Have you finished building your ark yet? Global warming, my eye.

Just posted a new feature on the latest reports from Reform and the Kings Fund, which are respectively very flawed and very fascinating.

Insurance is back in vogue ...

Reforming the funding? It's an (in)sure thing

by Andy Cowper, editor, Health Policy Insight

“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat and wrong.” – H L Mencken

The magazine edited by David Walker, Public landed on my doormat this morning. An article on ‘engagement’ by local authorities caught my eye. The obligation to respond to petitions could lead to an expensive exercise that does nothing to engage.

RESPONDING TO LOCAL HEALTH PETITIONS

The Times today carries a new supplement – Agenda. Within it is a chart of forthcoming political events. In health terms, we are in for a month of political debate on food and drugs, followed by an argument about how to divide the bill.

SYMBOLS OR LABELS?

On September the 17th, the Food Standards Agency board will meet in London. On its agenda will be a report on whether traffic lights symbols or guidance amount labels are the best way to inform health eating choices.

Hello again. The past couple of weeks have been insanely busy with other work, hence my temporary absence from the parish. The estimable Tom Smith has been holding the fort with aplomb and putting my absence to shame. Thank you, Tom.