Doctor accused of over-prescribing chemotherapy drug 'went unchallenged'

A consultant accused of over-prescribing chemotherapy to brain cancer patients had an "arrogance" and "went unchallenged", a former colleague has said.

About 40 patients have raised concerns about the care they received under Prof Ian Brown in Coventry.

The oncologist, who has since retired, has not responded to the BBC's attempts to contact him.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust said it was supporting an external review by the Royal College of Physicians.

The findings of that review - looking at the cases of 20 patients - were expected before the end of 2025, but patients have now been told the findings will not be published until September.

A woman who said she worked closely with Brown - who asked to remain anonymous - said she became aware of the investigation after reading a story on the BBC website.

"He had a kind of arrogance to him that he was doing something not a lot of people were doing and he was a real specialist in his field," she said

"You couldn't really speak out if you saw things you didn't agree with.

"I know there is a real culture of silence. It's really engrained in that department to not say anything."

Guidelines say temozolomide should usually be taken post radiotherapy for six cycles, usually over six months.

But Lucy Godfrey from Leamington Spa claims she received it for seven years.

She said she was now unable to work due to constant exhaustion, and believed the treatment triggered early menopause.

"The exhaustion is beyond comprehension. It has wiped me out completely," she said.

"The emotional trauma of it all... this bloke was supposed to be looking after you and have your best interests at heart. He's a flipping consultant."

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust commissioned the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) to carry out an independent review of a representative sample of patients who received more than 12 cycles of the drug between 2017 and 2023

"The review has not completed within the original estimated timeframe and we appreciate this may cause further anxiety," the hospital trust said.

"While dates had initially been scheduled last year, the commencement of the review was rescheduled to ensure that all relevant clinical records were fully prepared and available to support a comprehensive assessment.

"It is important that the RCP is given the necessary time to complete a full, robust and thorough review."

The trust also said it was committed to openness and transparency.

"Staff and patients are encouraged and supported to raise concerns through established channels, which can be done anonymously and in confidence," it added.

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