Mr Gray eventually persuaded NHS Grampian to reverse its decision after a public campaign and appearance before MSPs to plead for his life.

He died last month at his home near Buckie, Moray.

Yesterday Ms McGeever delivered an emotional plea on the last day of a Parlia-ment’s Petitions committee investigation into the availability of cancer medication on the NHS.

Ms McGeever said guidelines were unclear and criticised the “abhorrent” process to get drugs in “exceptional” circumstances.

“There should be a process that makes it clear, transparent and easy for someone who is terminally ill to go through a process and be able to make a choice,” she said.

“The term ‘exceptional’ is abhorrent – it’s terrible. We were told there was no other treatment available on the NHS.

“But we had heard from the oncologist of a drug called cetuximab – but we’d have to pay for it privately and that was against Mike’s principles because it is very difficult for people who can’t afford it.

“We did it because Mike was going to die. It was very, very difficult.”

Ms McGeever also said the NHS should supply data on drugs not available for free and give patients and families an information pack to help after diagnosis.

She added: “With Michael we had to unravel that information through research and meetings.”

Her criticisms came as new figures showed health boards were on track to hit the Gov-ernment’s target of 95 per cent of urgently referred cancer patients being treated within 62 days. Figures released yesterday for Octo-ber to December last year showed 93.6 per cent of patients were treated within the target time.

Ms McGeever later said the Holyrood investigation had been a great help. She said: “I hope now something will be done to help others in Michael’s position get through the NHS process, which for us was a complete minefield.”

Ms McGeever was flanked by friends who helped raise the profile of Mr Gray’s campaign.

George Darroch, who had a holiday home with Mr Gray in Buckie, described the NHS process as “degrading”. He said: “The right to life doesn’t become diluted because someone is terminally ill.”

The Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee is due to publish its report on the investigation next month.