Asthma UK Northern Ireland Calls For Urgent Reveiw Of Prescription Charging System

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 14 Feb 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Asthma UK Northern Ireland is calling on the Government to review the prescription charging system in Northern Ireland as a matter of urgency, with a view to abolishing the charges completely.

Claire Armstrong, Director of Asthma UK Northern Ireland says: 'People with asthma have consistently told us this is one of the most important issues they want the Government to address and yet in the recent Programme for Government published by the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, there was no mention of a review of prescription charges'.

Prescription charging was abolished in Wales last year and the Scottish Government plans to stage the abolition of the charges by 2011. Introducing free prescriptions would help to ensure that people with asthma have full access to the correct range of medication needed to effectively control this serious condition. Evidence suggests that many people do not purchase all of the medicines they need to take as a result of the charges.

Claire adds: 'Our opinion research has shown that 36% of people with asthma (around 54,000 people) pay for their medication in Northern Ireland and almost half of them tell us they find it difficult to afford their treatment. They are often forced to make life-threatening decisions to not take medication because they cannot afford to. This can result in debilitating asthma symptoms and poor management of their condition, which can in turn lead to unscheduled emergency hospital visits. We urge the Government to listen to us and reform a system that is unfair, inequitable and unsustainable.'

In May 2007, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Michael McGimpsey issued a statement outlining his determination to establish a review of prescription charges, so Asthma UK Northern Ireland is calling on the Government to undertake this review as soon as possible, in order to improve the health and well-being of people with asthma.

Northern Ireland has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world, with 1 in 12 adults and 1 in 10 children affected by the condition.

Notes

1. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.2 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma.

2. More than 150,000 people in Northern Ireland have asthma: 115,000 adults and 35,000 children.

3. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website http://www.asthma.org.uk.

4. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at http://www.asthma.org.uk/adviceline.

Asthma UK