The Wire

Asbestos disease has been on ongoing tragedy for hundreds of Australians who were unwittingly exposed to the deadly fibres – but a further aspect to the tragedy was revealed today after a study showed that 50 percent of Australian victims of mesathelioma, aren’t able to access the drug that gives them the best hope of relief. In several states the drug is not subsidised and unless the sufferer has recieved official compensation it is financially out of reach for them. The study was aprt financed by the drug company Eli Lilly which supplies the drug but Asbestos Diseases Foundation President Barry Robson says they approached the company because they were desperate to draw attention to the situation.