Prescription charges
People with Parkinson's in England who work have to pay for their prescriptions. We don't believe this is right or fair - so we're campaigning for change.
The problem
People with Parkinson's in England who work have to pay for their prescriptions, and we know prescription charges are a barrier to people with Parkinson's taking their medication as prescribed.
Unfair exemption list
The Government's medical exemption list says who doesn't have to pay for their prescriptions. This includes groups like children, over 60s, pregnant women and people with some medical conditions - but not Parkinson's.
The list was created over 50 years ago, and is out of date. It is unacceptable that people with Parkinson's are not included.
Financial Impact
The government has done no assessment of the consequences of prescription charges on people with long-term conditions. Yet research we helped conduct (PDF, 220KB) showed that many people with Parkinson's don't take their medication due to cost.
They often take time off work, or end up in hospital. We believe this has a severe financial impact on the health service, and dilutes the money that prescription charges raise.
Also recent research we funded with Crohn's and Colitis UK (PDF, 1MB) shows that scrapping prescription charges for people with these 2 long-term conditions would save the NHS money.
What we are calling for
We campaign on this issue as Chairs of the Prescription Charges Coalition, an alliance of over 40 organisations concerned about the detrimental impact that prescription charges are having on working age people with long-term conditions.
As leaders of the Coalition we are calling for:
- a clear commitment from the government to reform the medical exemption criteria to include all those with long-term conditions
- information to be given routinely to people with long-term conditions about prescription charge exemptions, the prepayment certificate, and the NHS Low Income Scheme
Support our campaign
The Prescription Charges Coalition is campaigning to reform the criteria and get all people with long-term conditions, including Parkinson's, exempted from prescription charges.
Now we've handed our petition in to Downing Street we're asking you to meet with your MP to gain their support for our campaign. This handy Guide to Lobbying Your MP on Prescription Charges (pdf, 977KB), shares everything you need to know to speak to your MP and get them on board with our campaign.
With your help we can keep this issue high on the agenda and make the case for change.
Keep up to date
To receive campaign updates please subscribe to the Prescription Charges Coalition mailing list.
You can get more information about the coalition on the Prescription Charges Coalition website.
Research conducted by the York Health Economics Consortium found that scrapping prescription charges for people with 2 long-term conditions – Parkinson's and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) – would save the NHS money.
Keep up to date
To receive campaign updates please subscribe to the Prescription Charges Coalition mailing list.
You can get more information about the coalition on the Prescription Charges Coalition website.
Help with health costs
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for help towards health costs.
Tell your MP how unfair prescription charges are
We're stepping up the campaign by asking supporters to speak to their MP.
Use the Prescription Charges Coalition guide to raise the issue with your MP and ask for change.