In recent months, helplines at Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Action and Parkinson’s UK have been inundated with calls from people who are struggling to get the medicines they’ve been prescribed due to shortages.
Will you join the charities and ask your MP to write to Karin Smyth MP, Health Minister to highlight the impact of medicine shortages on people living with epilepsy and Parkinson's?
In March the charities carried out a survey on the impact of medication shortages. It had almost 1400 responses and found that people are being forced to travel miles and visit multiple pharmacies before they are able to access their medication.
Key findings of the survey were:
- 70% of respondents had difficulties getting vital medication over the past year
- 55% had to visit multiple pharmacies before getting hold of their medication
- 66% were only given a fraction of the medicines on their prescription, until more supplies were available
- 40% saw a worsening of symptoms that they attributed to the stress of trying to get their prescription filled
- Almost 40% of respondents with epilepsy reported having seizures induced by having to switch or skip medication
- 36% of respondents with Parkinson’s said that their symptoms worsened.
