The Government has been called upon to end unfair prescription charges for all people with long-term conditions. More than 20 charities representing millions of people with long-term conditions – known collectively as the Prescription Charges Coalition – launched the Paying the Price report, which shows that people are struggling to pay for their prescriptions and are severely compromising their health as a result of not collecting or taking expensive medicines.
The report revealed that 35% of those who paid for each prescription stated that they had not collected medicine due to the cost, and many had suffered as a result; needing emergency hospitalisation or to go back to their doctors. 30% of those who did not have a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) said that this is because they cannot afford the £104 annual outlay that the 12 month certificate costs. In addition, over 76% of respondents had not heard of the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Mother of four Emma Wesley’s wellness has been affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for eight years. To take care of her wellbeing, the 38-year-old needs a complex regimen of medications, otherwise her condition would be very painful. Emma commented, ‘Some months I need six prescriptions to help me keep the disease under control. At the new prescription rate that could amount to a staggering £47.10. Having already undergone surgery on my feet to pin my toes dislocated by the RA, I know how important it is to take my medicines, but when it comes to deciding whether to feed the children or pay for medicines, it is my children first.’ She added that people with other lifelong diseases, like diabetes, don’t have to pay for prescriptions, and it should be the same for everyone.
David Barker, CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis UK, spokesperson for the Prescription Charges Coalition, explained, ‘Our new report underlines the fact that prescription charges are causing hardship and increasing the overall cost to society. Nearly three quarters (73.2%) of survey respondents pay for their prescriptions and we know that many are facing hard decisions about taking their much-needed medicines to enable them to remain in employment and care for their families.’