The Prescription Promise Campaign brings together 18 charities calling on Gordon Brown to keep the promise he made in his speech to Labour Party Conference 2008 to abolish prescription charges for people with all long-term conditions. As of the 1st April 2009, people with cancer no longer have to pay for prescriptions. This is wonderful news, but many more people in need are still waiting. There is plenty of evidence that many people with long-term conditions currently struggle to afford their prescriptions, and often choose not to fill prescriptions because of the cost. For example:
• A MORI survey for CAB found that 800,000 people failed to collect a prescription during 2007 in England because of the cost involved. People with long-term conditions are particularly affected.
• An Asthma UK survey found that 34% of people who have to pay for their asthma medication sometimes choose not to get some of their prescriptions because of the cost.
• Research published by Rethink in 2008 shows that 38 per cent of people with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia have to choose between paying household bills and paying prescription charges.
We are calling on the Government to set a clear timetable for implementing free prescriptions for everyone with a long-term condition before the next election. We hope that you will lend us your support by emailing your MP and signing our petition.
You can also support the campaign on Facebook
Current membership of the Prescription Promise Campaign:
• Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group
• Arthritis Care
• Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
• Asthma UK
• Behcets Syndrome Society
• British Heart Foundation
• Diabetes UK
• Disability Alliance
• Mind
• MS Society
• National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease
• National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society
• Parkinson's Disease Society -
• Pernicious Anaemia Society
• Rethink
• The Stroke Association
• Skin Care Campaign
• Terrence Higgins Trust
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