Recession-hit asthma patients unable to afford prescriptions

According to Asthma UK, 37% of the 1,000 patients questioned said they are struggling to keep up with payments for medications required for their condition.

Further research carried out by Dr Ellen Schafheutle from Manchester University found some patients are trying to make their inhalers ‘last longer’ by taking them less frequently to cut down on costs.

The findings published in the Primary Care Respiratory Journal concluded: ‘Medication cost is a factor in asthma patients’ management decisions, with a potential cost-related impact on asthma control.’

However, fouasthma nd that asthmatics in England are not familiar with schemes designed to ease the burden of prescription costs.

Figures show one in three have never heard of Prescription Pre-Payment Certificates, which makes prescriptions cheaper to buy for people who have to pay for more than four prescription items in three months or 14 items in 12 months.

Dr Mike Thomas, GP and chief medical adviser to Asthma UK, said: ‘I know of numerous cases where people have stretched or stopped using their preventer medicines to try to reduce prescription charge costs.’

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