In the news: Parkinson's UK talk prescription charges

Parkinson’s UK took to the airwaves yesterday to make the case that prescription charges should be free for people with long-term conditions in England. John Hinson from Hull has Parkinson’s, he spoke to BBC Radio Humberside live in the studio and listeners were encouraged to join the debate throughout the programme. Our Co-Chair Matina Loizou, Senior Policy and Campaigns Adviser at Parkinson’s UK also spoke on the programme about the benefits of extending free prescriptions to all long-term conditions.

The story was also featured on BBC Look North, again with John talking about the fact that many people struggle to afford the pre-payment certificate and for others difficult choices must be made between buying their medicine or food for the family.  Matina discussed how our latest research shows that the NHS could save £20 million a year by scrapping just two conditions- Parkinson’s and IBD.

John said “I’ve got a condition that I’m going to have for the rest of my life. It’s going to get worse. I have to pay for my prescriptions- there’s something wrong there. It’s discrimination at the end of the day”  

Matina said “The NHS would actually save £20 million a year if they lifted prescription charges for people with just two conditions- Parkinson’s and inflammatory bowel disease…We think the system is unfair and out of date so we’re calling on the Government to look at the medical exemption list, review the situation and bring it up to date.”

You can catch up on BBC Radio Humberside until 16/10/2018
 You can catch up on BBC Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire) here until 7pm 19/9/2018