MONEY has already been set aside by a Primary Care Trust for the prescription of the drug Herceptin for women in the early stages of breast cancer.

The National Institute for Health and Excellence (NICE), last year published guidance that the drug should be given to women who respond positively to it, provided they have no history of heart problems.

This recommendation has caused concern among some health authorities because of the cost of Herceptin, about £30,000 per patient.

But the chief executive of Medway PCT Bill Gillespie said: "We anticipated this decision and our financial planning has taken account of the likelihood of Herceptin being approved by NICE.

"We have set aside £750,000 to cover the costs. It should be emphasised that not all women will respond to the drug. But for those who do, cost will not prevent their receiving treatment."