Wales is leading the way in the UK says leading cancer care charity Macmillan Cancer Support, as the country gears up for free prescription charges (1 April) and a ban on smoking in public places (2 April) over the weekend. The charity, which campaigned for both issues over a number of years, says the introduction of the measures will dramatically help support its work with people affected by cancer.
A UK-wide smoking ban will be effectively in place by the Summer, but Macmillan continues to be concerned that the other UK governments have yet to scrap prescription charges for patients. On the same day that Welsh patients will be enjoying free prescriptions, their counterparts in England will see their prescription charges rise by 20p to £6.85.
Research by Macmillan shows that one in seven (14 per cent) cancer patients aged 55 and under who currently have to pay for prescriptions, and whose financial situations have worsened, are unable to afford their cancer treatment. Poverty is a particular problem for working age people with cancer, the very people who will benefit from free prescriptions in Wales. Macmillan found that among those aged 55 or under, seven out of 10 households suffer a loss in income averaging 50 per cent following a cancer diagnosis.
The ban will benefit cancer patients because increasing numbers receive their treatment as outpatients, which means that more and more people must now pay for medication such as treatment for side effects (e.g. anti-diarrhoea drugs), long term preventative medicines such as Tamoxifen, and even treatments such as oral chemotherapy when given at home. All such medication will now be free in Wales.
Cath Lindley, General Manager for Wales, said: 'Free prescriptions for cancer patients will go some way to keeping the wolf away from the door. Paying for life-saving treatment is unacceptable and Wales leads the way in this regard. Sadly, it is no April fool joke that cancer patients living elsewhere in the UK continue to pay for their medication. This is morally wrong and we call upon the other UK governments to follow suit. People living with cancer deserve a better financial deal and no more prescription charges will free up their money to pay for their unjust car parking and travelling costs to hospital'.
To find out more about Macmillan’s campaign to get a better deal for cancer patients please call Macmillan Cancer Support’s Campaign line on 0800 500 800 or log on towww.macmillan.org.uk/abettereal
For further information, please contact:
Carys Thomas, Communications Manager for Wales, 01656 867 973 (out of hours 07793 579 375)
Notes to Editors:
Statistics sources:
1. RDSi research, UK Patient Survey, commissioned by Macmillan Cancer Support, 2006 (unpublished). 1137 people affected by cancer were interviewed, of whom 915 were patients. Interviews took place between 29/11/05 – 22/12/05 and 3/1/06 – 22/2/06. The figures quoted are for people aged 55 and under as these age groups most closely reflect those not already covered by the age exemption. 46% of people affected by cancer aged 55 and under incur prescription charges for their cancer treatment.
2. Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer costs, June 2006.