Free Prescriptions for people with Long Term Conditions

Currently England is at a disadvantage to Scotland and Wales in that certain people have access to free prescriptions but not all people and not all long conditions are exempt. Scotland and Wales have introduced free prescriptions for everyone. Although this would be ideal, we realise that cost containment is a reality but that people who suffer from a long term condition are often the most disadvantaged if they have to pay.

NRAS has joined a group of 20 Patient Groups to form a coalition to ask Gordon Brown to keep a promise that he made which was to give people with long term conditions free prescriptions before the next election.

The coalition has been very active with a petition, a demonstration outside of Parliament and questions asked in Parliament and we are hoping that all of this activity will provide a positive result.

Campaign update, 18th January 2011

NRAS continues to be an active member of the ‘Free Prescriptions Coalition’ and was very disappointed to hear that the current government had no plans to implement the recommendations in Professor Ian Gilmore’s report. The battle is not over however, and we  are gathering information to provide us with the ammunition that we need to help us with the Coalition’s media and influencing work.

Please click here to complete a survey on Pre Payment Certificates and we would ask if you could spare a moment of your time to complete it and help us to create a fairer system regarding prescription charges for people who suffer from a long term condition.

Campaign update, 15th April 2010

Over 3,000 ‘Prescription Promise’ supporters recently emailed their MP asking them to support our campaign for Gordon Brown to keep his promise to scrap prescription charges for people with long-term conditions. Thank you very much for taking part. 212 MPs have now signed Early Day Motion 306 calling on the government to keep its promise. You can see if your MP signed the EDM by clicking here. Press coverage of our campaign has also increased thanks to the hundreds of emails you have sent to your local papers.
 
This vital change to prescription charges has been stalled as the Government has not yet published or responded to the independent review of prescription charges by Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians.  We must now wait until after the general election to see whether the necessary regulations will be changed in Parliament. Until then it is vital that we keep up the momentum of our campaign. Politicians are busy trying to win your vote, so it's the perfect time to make sure they know you want this pledge met by whichever party forms the next government.
 
Here are three easy things you can do to keep up the pressure:
 
Tell them on the doorstep - Your local candidates will be knocking on your doors asking what matters to you in this election and aiming to convince you that they'll represent your views. Not many people will be talking about the unfair prescription charges for people with conditions like MS, Parkinsons disease and arthritis. Be original and tell them that you care about this issue. If you or a member of your family is directly affected by a long-term condition, you could tell them about it to really leave an impression.
 
Go to a hustings - There will be a number of question and answer sessions, known as hustings, being held in your area. There could even be a health-specific hustings. Ask the candidates whether they will support free prescriptions for people with long-term conditions. Promises of support that candidates make will be a matter of public record so make sure you take notes to hold them to after the election. Check your local paper for details of your local hustings.
 
Influence the leaders' TV debates - You can submit a question to any of the TV debates between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. Why not ask them whether they will support the health of millions of people with long-term conditions by scrapping charges for the prescriptions they need to stay well? Click on these links to submit your questions to Sky News and BBC News.