A nurse with cancer who fundraised to pay for a drug not available on the NHS will have the cost of her treatment covered by her health board.

NHS Grampian reversed its decision not to pay for Anne Maclean-Chang's treatment after she wrote to the First Minister asking her to reform drug funding and "help her live".

Kadcyla, which is used to treat breast cancer, is not approved for use anywhere in the UK.

Mrs Maclean-Chang, from Elgin, Moray, went online for help after being turned down by NHS Grampian and raised about £27,000 to pay for the drug.

Shortly after being informed that the NHS had decided to cover the cost of her care on Thursday, she told STV News: "I'm delighted, it's been a real burden carrying this for the last few months. I've known since April that this drug could be of benefit to me and this has been a long time coming.

"This is a targeted drug for my type of disease - because my cancer came back quite quickly after finishing chemo this is the one that is recommended for me.

"I felt there was no other option [than to write to the First Minister]. The only process the hospital has is to go down the route of an Individual patient treatment request and my consultant didn't hold out much hope that it would be granted.

"Various health boards have put these in and their applications have all failed bar one.

"The only other option then is to plead with the government directly - they're the ones who can make change in the NHS.

"There are about 100 ladies in Scotland who could benefit from this drug and I'd love to think that this is the start of change and that the NHS and the SNP will listen and do something about it.

Anne's husband Winston said: "This will make a huge difference to us - with this burden off our shoulders we'll be able to focus on the treatment Anne will get and make the most of it rather than be lobbying and fundraising for the drug."

On Thursday, the First Minister accused Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale of "politicising" concerns over the availability of cancer drugs on the NHS.

Ms Dugdale said it was wrong for cancer sufferers to be forced to ask strangers for money to fund treatment.

The First Minister said her "heart goes out" to Mrs Maclean-Chang and the Scottish Government has asked the manufacturer of Kadcyla, US-based Roche, to submit a new application to NHS Scotland with a "fair price".

Mrs Maclean-Chang added: "I hope the drug gives me an extension of life so I can concentrate on what's happening to me instead of trying to fight for what I think is any woman's right in my situation - access to modern treatment."

An NHS Grampian spokeswoman said: "The medical director for NHS Grampian has reviewed the recent individual patient treatment request decision relating to the provision of Kadcyla for this patient.

"He has spoken with panel members and the patient's treating clinician to understand the context and circumstances.

"Having considered the unusual circumstances of this case the medical director has sanctioned the use of Kadcyla in this instance.​​"​​