Free prescriptions progress stalled
16 April 2010

The promise to abolish prescription charges for people with long-term conditions which the Prime Minister announced in September 2008, has not been included in any of the three main political parties’ election manifestos.

Asthma UK leads a coalition of charities who have been campaigning extensively to see the Prime Minister’s promise implemented before the general election.

The findings of Professor Gilmore’s independent review of prescription charges were reported to Ministers before Christmas, and we campaigned for the Government to publish the findings of the review, and its response, as a matter of urgency. However, progress has been stalled by the Government’s failure to publish or respond to the review before Parliament was dissolved.

Neil Churchill, Chair of the Prescription Charges Coalition and Asthma UK’s Chief Executive, said: ‘We are extremely disappointed that none of the three main political parties have made a commitment in their manifestos to abolish prescription charges for people who suffer with long-term conditions like arthritis, asthma, heart disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s.

‘Gordon Brown promised people with long-term conditions a year and a half ago that prescription charges would be abolished for them and many are frustrated that this has not become a reality. We also know that lots of people with long-term conditions are struggling to afford essential treatments, which can result in them not taking the medicines they need, or having to choose between buying different items.

‘People with long-term conditions, their families and carers are passionate about this issue and make up a significant proportion of the electorate, so we demand that all three political parties outline their position on prescription charging as soon as possible.’ 

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.

How you can help

You can help our campaign by telling your local parliamentary candidates that you care about free prescriptions for people with asthma, so they know you want this pledge met by whichever party forms the next government.

You could also submit a question to any of the TV debates between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, which are taking place this month. Why not ask the party leaders 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.