Prescription charge increase will hit patients say charities

[Mdaisy]

FibroAction are proud to be a part pf the PCC -

The Prescription Charges Coalition (PCC), a group of 40 charities representing millions of

people with long-term health conditions, today condemned the latest rise in prescription

charges in England from £8.05 to £8.20 from 1st April 2015.

Prescription charges have risen for 35 out of the past 36 years. Research by the PCC

consistently shows that 1 in 3 people with long-term conditions such as asthma or Crohn’s

and colitis in England do not collect medicine because of cost. Three quarters of those say

their ability to work has been affected as a result.

Jackie Glatter from the Prescription Charges Coalition said: “This further increase in the

prescription charge is likely to worsen the significant impact charges already have on people

with long term conditions.

“There is a strong evidence base which demonstrates that prescription charges act as a

barrier to people with long term conditions getting the medicines they need.”

Tracy Keown, from Surrey, whose 21 year old son had a stroke due to not being able to

afford the warfarin he needed since having an aortic valve replacement, said “No parent

should see their child nearly lose their life because a life-saving medication costs money,

while nit lotion can be obtained for free.”

Jackie Glatter added: “This is likely to cost the NHS more in the long-run as it leads to poor

health, increased admissions to hospital and lower productivity as people have to take time

off work.

“People with long-term conditions deserve better. The current system of exemptions for

prescription charges has not changed since 1968 and is outdated, arbitrary and unfair. The

Prescription Charges Coalition is calling for everyone with a long-term condition to be

exempt from charges so that they can manage their condition effectively and get on with

their lives.”

For more information about the Prescription Charges Coalition, visit

prescriptionchargescoalitio...

Please can I ask i you haven't done so already please consider supporting the campaign by signing this petition, link below;

campaigning.bhf.org.uk/ea-a...

**** Please Note the link above appears to be having difficulties - please go to the link below & find the SIGN OUR PETITION HERE button to the campaign ****

prescriptionchargescoalitio...

If you are personally having difficulty with finances and are struggling to pay for prescriptions please do consider the option of Prescription Prepayment Certificate, more information via link below;

nhs.uk/nhsengland/healthcos...

Plus see this post about Prescriptions & the Prepayment Option here;

healthunlocked.com/fibroact...

Prescription Charges Coalition Membership

Anaphylaxis Campaign

Motor Neurone Disease Association

Androgen Insensitivity Support Group

MS Society

Arthritis Care

National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society

Asthma UK

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society

Behҫets Syndrome Society

PSC Support

British Heart Foundation

Pernicious Anaemia Society

British Liver Trust

Primary Immunodeficiency UK (PID UK)

Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD) Society

Parkinson’s UK

Crohn’s and Colitis UK

Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association

Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Rethink Mental Illness

Disability Rights UK

Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Drug & Therapeutics Bulletin

St Thomas’ Lupus Trust

FibroAction

Scleroderma Society

Fibromyalgia Association UK

Stroke Association

Genetic Alliance UK

Sickle Cell Society

Hibbs Lupus Trust

Terrence Higgins Trust

Hughes Syndrome Association

The Migraine Trust

Hypermobility Syndromes Association

Turner Syndrome Support Society

Klinefelter’s Syndrome Association

UK Thalassaemia Society

Lupus UK

Many Thanks in advance

Please Note This information may be shared on Facebook and/or Twitter

Emma

FibroAction Administrator

[TheAuthor]

Thank you so much for this information, I had read about this from an email and I am proud that FibroAction is a part of this.

Thank you

Ken x x x x

[Hidden]

Thanks for the info. I got a pre payment prescription card last year because it does save money for long term med use but I know I wont be able to afford to get a prepayment this year as I have lost my job through ill health and havent the money to pay up front so will probably have to go without meds when my current pre payment card runs out. Gentle hugs Joolz.x

[budgiefriend in reply to Hidden]

So sorry to hear that you are in this position. I hope another way you can get help with the money needed for your meds. Hugs.

[sophie22]

Thank you, I have signed the petition.

[Peace2014]

I have signed the partition and will tell my colleagues at work. I too have been the situation where I have not had the money to pay for my prescription and and took anything in the house available for pain relief.

[budgiefriend]

Done. Thank you so much for alerting us to the petition.