Northern Ireland has no mechanism to approve certain medicines available in England, Scotland and Wales. Jim Allister MP raised the case of a constituent denied Zytiga for non-metastatic prostate cancer. The drug is accessible in those other UK nations through a special commissioning process.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has not decided on Zytiga's use in this case UK-wide. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said Northern Ireland lacks bodies that other nations use for independent approvals.

Nesbitt announced a review of workforce infrastructure to identify needs for better local drug decisions. The Department of Health's Strategic Planning and Performance Group handles related tasks but does not commission drugs awaiting NICE approval.

The group took over from the Health and Social Care Board, which former DUP minister Simon Hamilton abolished due to efficiency concerns. Staff positions in the group have been filled with new recruits.

Nesbitt said costs for any improvements must align with the department's limited budget.