Women across Scotland are currently offered the drug but only as part of clinical trials into breast and ovarian cancer.

Cancer patients in Scotland should expect to receive the most up-to-date, effective treatment for their illness, irrespective of where they happen to live and receive their treatment

SNP health spokeswoman Kay Ullrich

The two drugs - Taxol and Taxotere - have been proven to work, slowing down the spread of breast and ovarian cancer and extending patients' lives.

Until now, a "postcode lottery" in England and Wales has meant many patients have been refused the drugs because they are too expensive for some health boards.

The decision, which follows a report by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, has prompted cancer specialists in Scotland to call for similar availability north of the border.

Oncologists in Scotland claim they are only able to prescribe the drugs through ongoing clinical trials, to which patients must agree before they receive the medication.

The drugs can help fight breast cancer

They want to see the executive set in place funding for all boards to continue prescribing the two drugs once the trials have ended.

In a statement, the Scottish Executive said no patient would ever be refused treatment on cost grounds and insisted the drugs were available to all women in Scotland.

Scottish National Party health spokeswoman, Kay Ullrich, said: "It is very important indeed that NICE has recognised that patients suffering from breast and ovarian cancer have been denied the most up-to-date and effective treatments available, simply because of the cost of the drugs.

Health 'lottery'

"It is clear that there has been postcode prescribing of cancer drugs. Whether you received the most effective drugs came down to where you lived and whether your local health board believed it could afford them or not.

"That, clearly, is unacceptable.

"This recognition by the NHS watchdog in England and Wales that postcode prescribing of effective cancer drugs has been prevalent, must be acted upon by the health minister in Scotland.

"Cancer patients in Scotland should expect to receive the most up-to-date, effective treatment for their illness, irrespective of where they happen to live and receive their treatment."

Flexible system

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive said: "The decision on whether to prescribe these drugs depends on the prescribing doctor and the main factor is clinical suitability.

"The situation is very flexible in Scotland and remains unchanged."

She added that a group of experts set up to advise the NHS in Scotland on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new and existing drugs and treatments, would work to ensure equality of access to drugs and ultimately end the lottery of postcode prescribing.