Medicine charges are a bad idea says local man

Medicine charges are a bad idea says local man

18 November 2015

A NEWCASTLE man with multiple sclerosis has added his voice to a high profile campaign against the reintroduction of preion charges for those with long term conditions.

Sixty two year-old Paddy Shannon was diagnosed with MS 11 years ago and also suffers from heart disease. 

He has warned that prescription charges would have a big impact on him and others living with longterm chronic conditions.

Paddy takes 10 different medications a day to manage his worst symptoms of spasms and fatigue but said despite this medicine he still struggles with day to say tasks without the help of his family.

Forced to give up his job due to illness, he said his household income has also fallen, which would make paid-for prescriptions even more of a burden.

It is for this reason Paddy is backing the Keep Us Well campaign, which is calling on Health Minister Simon Hamilton MLA and the Stormont Executive to end uncertainty and commit to no return to prescription charges for the one in three people and their families living with long term conditions in Northern Ireland.

“I was diagnosed with MS 11 years ago,” he said. “For many years I had unexplained symptoms including vision loss, migraines, fatigue and difficulty walking. 

“When I was eventually diagnosed they told me it was secondary progressive MS. 

“Unfortunately there aren’t any treatments to slow down the progression of the condition at this stage. For me, it’s all about managing the painful symptoms and that’s why prescription charges would have a big impact on me.”

“I really don’t have any spare money to pay for prescriptions. Charges would add a big financial burden to our family, especially because I already have extra costs like keeping the heating on longer because I get cold.

“Introducing prescription charges would be unfair and wouldn’t save the health service money in the long run. If I had to reduce my pain medications because of cost, I would get sicker and would need more support from the health service. 

“It just doesn’t make any sense. I hope our Health Minister will think carefully before taxing the sick. I didn’t cause my MS, I don’t want it but there is no cure so I need my medication to keep me as well as I can be.”

More than 50 charities in Northern Ireland are supporting the Keep Us Well campaign, which is led by British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI) and MS Society.

The charities say paying for treatment will place an unfair burden on the sick and disabled, and won’t save the health service money in the long term.

Director of MS Society in Northern Ireland, Patricia Gordon, said medication was not a luxury for people living with a long term conditions such as MS. 

“It is as vital a part of their treatment as seeing a specialist or receiving physiotherapy,” she said.

“Introducing prescription charges in Northern Ireland would be a backward step and would add further worry to many people already facing cuts to disability benefits.

“We don’t want a situation where people are choosing between eating, heating and treating. 

“It is time for the Stormont Executive to end the confusion and make a firm commitment to the thousands of people in Northern Ireland living with a long term condition that they won’t face prescription charges now or in the future.”