Every individual should have the right to supplement their treatment if they can afford it - No one who pays into the system should be denied treatment - NHS treatment is not "free" - It is a system of tax funded health care that allows everyone to recieve treatment with some limitations -

WTaylor, London, UK

My brother was terminally ill and he missed one round of chemo because there weren't the beds available on the NHS. He could afford the private bed but the NHS would not provide the drug if he used a private bed. It's not just top up drugs needed but top ups throughout the system.

Rachel, Ipswich,

These comment of a "two tier system" is outdated and irrelevant. Shall we ban first class and economy on airlinest? Shall we ban the Ford cars and Meredes ones and instead make everyone buy the same?

Wake up people that idea was called communism.

Iain, Reading, UK

It's completely barbaric that the NHS refuses life-saving/extending drugs due to cost, then denies other treatment to those who seek to pay for those drugs themselves. Remember, to those facing the horrors of death by cancer, and to their families, those extra months are priceless.

Jessica, London, UK

The NHS operates a two tier system in other ways. They accept the private money raised by appeals and donations for specific projects or equipment. I don`t think any of us would argue with this and yet generally it is private money benefitting few people. The same thing - choice!

Diane Hudson, Sheffield,

I think they should make the NHS completely means tested; so that if you can afford it you shouldn't get anything free. It would cut taxes massively and streamline the NHS for those who couldn't afford health insurance.

Johnny, London, England

If Government really wants to involve the private sector, patients should use it without restriction. Most patients who are being declined essential NHS treatment have invested in it through their taxes. They should therefore at least be allowed to claim back some of their investment.

Dr Joseph Borg-Costanzi, Manchester, U.K.

So much for Labour looking after the working classes then????

matt, Norwich, UK

or...

"Top-up fees for drugs heralds victory of liberty over equality."

Mark, Tonbridge, UK

Well done Labour! creators of the greatest most beneficial organisation the UK has known.

Well done ZanuLab, killers of that same organisation.

Rob Bain, Derby,

Well in that case why not allow for NHS opt out and let everyone pay for the services one needs...

NHS today : "Robbing Peter to pay Paul"

Naveen, London,

Top up? Treatment is given on the NHS where, for example, procedures have gone wrong in private dentistry, cosmetic surgery, botox, etc. The NHS daily treats people who are injured through the abuse by themselves or others of alcohol, nicotine, heroin, painkillers and many more.

Alan, Inverness, UK

Why not get rid of the pen pushers that are draining the NHS of cash and use the money to provide patient care which is what is intended for. But i guess that is too simple for the comedians running the health service

andy callear, sheffield, uk

Hardly a two tier system. After all it is possible to pay for a private consultation and then get treatment on the NHS for any illness so what is the problem. We already have a system in this country where postcodes determine treatment so what is the difference?

Denise B, Oldbury, UK

Of course the government will allow a two tier system to evolve ,after all it has mispent the money stolen from taxpayers and now that the box is empty has to find another golden egg.And now it can say it is giving way to the needs of the people, and of course wealthy people who have donations.

owen, gateshead,

Britain is still 5th in the EU for cancer survival and for uptake of the latest drugs, and the EU lags behind the USA.. Prevention and screening are all very well ,but for some cancers new drugs are all there is. It is a lie to make people pay when they are well and then abandon them when ill.

Angela, Huddersfield, UK

Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, Uk.....like the 5pounds you pay for the NHS every two weeks is going to get you far. The NHS is far better than you think....care to live in USA without coverage? I have

David Sars, exeter, UK

If the government really wants to do something to help patients then nationalise a big Pharmaceutical company rather than a bank. Then supply the drugs at a sensible price.

bob taylor, castelnau, France

A study found patients using Bevacizumab (the active ingredient in Avastin) live a further 20.3 months vs 15.6 months without. The government would be better off directing 100% of that money to find a cure, rather than pay drug company management salaries as well as shareholders dividends.

Matt, Sydney, Australia

Unfortunately it's a two tier world. Stopping individuals spending their own money as they see fit is tantamount to dictatorship. Clearly there must be an entitlement as a resident of a country to access it's healthcare system in it's entirety otherwise the system breaks down. Common sense at last?

s miller, ChCh, NZ

It's about time we were able to opt out altogether of the failing NHS, get our money back, to go towards paying for our own health care.

Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, UK

It is ridiculous to call this 'top-up fees'. NICE has to agree tested drugs that make a difference to the life chances/quality of life for patients. All that it is different, is that those who choose to use their own money on those drugs that have not yet got approval, may do so.

sk, East Sussex, England