A devastated man is angry he is being denied a life prolonging drug which he is convinced is being refused because of cost.

Retired engineer Clive Denton, 66, from Pested Lane, Challock, is suffering from bone marrow cancer.

He has been told he has six months to live, although experts have told him with treatment using the drug Revlimid his life expectancy could be extended to two and a half years or much more.

He said: “My consultants advise that I be given treatment but it seems that cost is the problem.

“Quite simply the accountants have moved the goalposts. Disappointment is my main feeling.

“I have worked since the age of 15, never costing the NHS a penny. The decision is so unfair.”

His partner of 30 years, wife Gaynor, explained that his condition was diagnosed more than three years ago after a routine blood test with the family GP.

She said: “After months of painful treatment and regular blood transfusions every two or three weeks he is now receiving no treatment and is fading fast.

“It seems so unfair as this treatment could help his condition and prolong his life.

“It is extremely expensive and I understand would cost £5,000 for each cycle of treatment with no guarantee of success, but his consultant has recommended it be offered for a trial of three cycles.”

Their case has been taken up by Myeloma UK, a charity dealing specifically with the disease.

They have made a formal complaint to the chief executive of Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust Ann Sutton demanding action.

Mr Denton’s case was refused in September by a case panel stating the Revlimid application was turned down based on clinical factors.

On behalf of the family, Myeloma UK claim the circumstances have since changed and another application was made in November expecting a reversal of that decision, but was refused for what they consider inconsistent and inaccurate reasons.

Now they have called for an urgent review of the decision.

Nick Evans, spokesman for the Trust, said: “NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent is considering the position.”

For more on this story, see this week's Kentish Express.