Eastwood MSP Jackson Carlaw has given his support to a campaign to ensure the “life-changing” breast cancer drug Perjeta is made available to women in Scotland.

Mr Carlaw joined secondary breast cancer patient and Perjeta Now campaigner Jen Hardy at Holyrood to back a petition calling for the manufacturer Roche, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) to work together to agree a deal to make the drug routinely available on the NHS.

Perjeta gives patients with incurable breast cancer an average of nearly 16 additional months of good-quality life, compared to alternative treatment options.

While it has been the standard of care in England for more than four years, Perjeta has been rejected three times in a row by the SMC as it is not considered cost-effective.

Mr Carlaw said: “It is a travesty that women with incurable breast cancer living in Eastwood are still missing out on a life-changing drug that is now routinely available in other parts of the UK.

“The precious extra time that Perjeta offers could mean the world to patients. It’s the hope of being able to see their children grow older or spending another Christmas with their loved ones. That’s why I’m supporting Breast Cancer Now’s campaign.”