STUNELL: "PRESCRIPTION CHARGES SHOULD BE SCRAPPED FOR PEOPLE WITH LONG-TERM CONDITIONS"

10.51.00am GMT Tue 27th Oct 2009

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell has called for prescription charges to be scrapped for people suffering from long-term conditions without delay.

Mr Stunell is throwing his weight behind the "Prescription Promise" campaign, which is backed by over twenty organisations, and is calling for the government to scrap these unfair charges before the next General Election, due next year.

His call comes a year after the Prime Minister told the Labour Party Conference in 2008 that he would abolish prescription charges for people living with long-term conditions. However, despite strong support by MPs of all parties, nothing has been done. Now, Mr Stunell is calling for immediate action.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"The government is taking its time reviewing the issue, but in the meantime, large numbers of people with long-term conditions are struggling to afford their prescription charges

"Too many people are left with the difficult and distressing choice of paying large sums of money they can't afford, or worse still not taking their vital medication.

"Prescription charges for cancer patients have already been scrapped, which is a step in the right direction, but the government needs to act quickly on charges for other long-term conditions. These unfair charges must end immediately before they wreck the lives of even more of the most vulnerable people in society. "

Members of the public who would like to support the 'Prescription Promise' campaign can do so at www.prescriptionpromise.org

ENDS