"What's fair to an individual is not always fair to a population": A qualitative study of patients and their health professionals using the Cancer Drugs Fund.

•Exploring resource allocation perspectives of patients with incurable cancer and their professionals using the CDF is novel.•Most patients and health professionals emphasised prioritising quality over quantity at the end of life.•A minority of patients and professionals felt time at the end of life had added value over other times of life.•While patients and oncologists appreciated the drugs available through the CDF, most expressed concern about its fairness.