Mr Gray was angry about the cancer costs he faced

NHS Grampian eventually agreed to pick up the bill for the treatment of Mike Gray, 53, from Buckie in Moray.

However, MSPs will investigate why health boards decide what kinds of drugs should be made available.

NHS Grampian welcomed the inquiry, and said all decisions were based on the best clinical evidence available.

Mr Gray, who has terminal bowel cancer, was forced to pay �3,400 per fortnight for the drug cetuximab.

It would not be a win for me it would be a win for people in my position Mike Gray

The Scottish Medicines Consortium said it was not cost-effective because it could only prolong life, not cure him.

He appealed to NHS Grampian, which reversed its decision, and will now pay for the drugs and reimburse his costs.

Mr Gray had already complained to the public petitions committee of the Scottish Parliament. He was particularly angry that he had to pay for tests that proved the drug was working for him.

He has welcomed the committee's decision to investigate why different health boards seem to have different policies on when to prescribe certain drugs.

Mr Gray told BBC Scotland that if there was a positive outcome: "It would not be a win for me it would be a win for people in my position."

He said if there was a possibility a drug could enhance someone's life then health boards should pay for the evidence to support - or not support - the use of the drug.