Prescription charge rise hits patients say PCC

Prescription charge increase will hit patients say charities

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 1^st 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 The current system of exemptions for prescription charges has not changed since 1968 and is outdated, arbitrary and unfair.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 www.prescriptionchargescoalition.org.uk

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

For media enquiries please contact Andie Hill on Andie.Hill@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk or call 01727 830038

Case studies available for interview

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 www.prescriptionchargescoalition.org.uk