Men in Northern Ireland with high-risk prostate cancer that has not spread cannot access the drug abiraterone. Patients in England, Scotland and Wales receive it for such cases. The drug treats advanced prostate cancer that has spread across the UK.

North Antrim MP Jim Allister contacted Health Minister Mike Nesbitt after a constituent requested the treatment. Allister pointed out its availability in England and in Scotland and Wales since 2023.

Allister stated many men in Northern Ireland would benefit and that postcode differences create unfair outcomes for their prognoses.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt explained Northern Ireland has no medicines approval body like those in other UK regions. The area depends on National Institute for Health and Care Excellence decisions. Without a full appraisal or recommendation from that body, the Health and Social Care system does not commission the drug.

Nesbitt said a review of medicines access arrangements is in progress. Changes must consider the department's financial position and priorities.

Clinical trial results from 2022 show abiraterone improves survival, halves the risk of cancer returning and cuts the risk of death by 40 percent.

Prostate Cancer UK stated a two-year course with standard treatment halves deaths in men with high-risk non-metastatic prostate cancer. The charity said it would reduce costs from recurrences and save hundreds of lives over five years.