A Petition has been launched to end prescription charges for people with long-term conditions. England is the only part of the UK that charges for prescriptions.
In June 2018 it will be the 50 year anniversary of the medical exemption list, which grants people with some conditions free prescriptions and excludes others.
Managing a long-term condition is a costly business for many, but for those not entitled to free prescriptions it can mean tough choices between heating the house or paying for medicine.
In a survey, a third of people with long-term conditions said they had not collected a prescription due to cost.
This can often lead to a deterioration in their health, and can mean extra GP appointments, hospital admissions, and time off work – all potentially costing the NHS and society more.
It’s time the system was changed. It’s time that everyone with a long-term condition has access to free prescriptions.
We call on the Government to urgently reform the prescription charge exemption criteria in England, and make prescriptions free for people living with long-term conditions.