Medical experts have joined the fight to stop an English ruling denying Scottish cancer patients a life-prolonging drug.

David Dunlop, head of chemotherapy in Glasgow, has written to campaigners saying it is "staggering" that an English body could overrule Scotland's decision to offer the cancer treatment.

His comments clash with that of his employer, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Tom Divers, health authority chief executive, has told the Scottish Parliament he feels it would be unwise not to follow the English advice.

The row focuses on Alimta, the only licensed treatment for mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by exposure to asbestos which prevails in the west of Scotland.

The drug was approved for NHS use in Scotland in 2005. A more detailed study of the treatment is to be published by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, which advises English health trusts, this autumn. In a public draft of its report, Nice recommends against prescribing the drug.

Its judgment has automatically triggered a review of Scotland's decision and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (QIS) has indicated that if nothing changes Nice's opinion would prevail.

Dr Dunlop says in a letter to the Scottish Parliament: "I find it staggering that an English healthcare bureaucracy (Nice) will make a decision that will deny Scottish patients access to a drug which our executive assessed and agreed was appropriate."

He adds that he and many other Scottish oncologists have seen the benefits of Alimta in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Referring to experts consulted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who felt Nice's decision should be accepted, Dr Dunlop adds: "Their opinion is not representative of the vast majority of oncologists in this country."

Dr Marianne Nicolson, lung cancer specialist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, has also backed the campaign.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer which usually affects the protective lining of the lungs. Patients are often given a life expectancy of less than one year.

In Scotland, where asbestos was used heavily, especially in Clydeside shipyards, rates of mesothelioma are 31% higher than the UK average.

Glasgow's rate is more than double.

Studies have found Alimta can extend survival by three months and reduce pain and coughing to give sufferers a better quality of life, although it does not work for everyone. Four cycles of treatment are said to cost £6000.

Andrew Watterson, head of occupational and environmental health at Stirling University, said a review which covered 20 different treatment centres worldwide found Alimta, combined with other treatments, brought benefits.

Professor Watterson and Tommy Gorman, who has also researched the illness in Scotland, have added their voices to the campaign in a letter to The Herald, saying: "To deny access to a drug, which can extend life and greatly reduce the worst features of the disease, is inhumane."

Pressure is growing for Scotland to safeguard Alimta ahead of the elections. Clydebank Asbestos Group is calling on party leaders to make their position on Alimta clear. Lilly UK, which makes the drug, commissioned a survey involving 54 election candidates. Of these 69% said Nice's position should not be allowed to supersede Scottish guidance.

A spokesman for NHS QIS said: "When the final Nice report is published later this year we will make appropriate recommendations."

If not for Alimta I would not be here'
WHEN Gordon Norquoy was diagnosed with advanced mesothelioma he was told he may have only months - or even weeks - to live. The fit farmer, who had never smoked, was devastated.

Although he knew the tiredness which had haunted him for months was a sign something was wrong, it did not occur to him exposure to asbestos had damaged his lungs.

However, tests after a bout of pneumonia revealed Mr Norquoy, who worked in construction in Australia in the 1960s, had developed the aggressive cancer. The 65-year-old, from Orkney, said: "You just go to pieces for a day or two. It wasn't a very good prognosis at all."

However, when he was prescribed new treatment Alimta, the regular check-ups revealed a different story.

Mr Norquoy said doctors had told him it had stopped the cancer in its tracks.

He added: "To be brutally honest, I think if I had not been treated with Alimta, I would not be here."