Crohn's & Colitis UK warns on low cost medicines

Following consultation with those affected and conversations with health care professionals, Crohn’s & Colitis UK have taken the position we cannot support any proposals or future guidance which would introduce additional barriers which serve to restrict access and reduce adherence to medications used in the management of long term, chronic conditions such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. 

Our submission argues that the proposals, as currently outlined, in their application to people with long-term conditions will:

• Disproportionately impact upon people with a long-term condition or multiple conditions who rely on regular and often multiple medications to prevent debilitating symptoms.
• Be highly likely to have a negative impact on medicine-taking behaviour and quality of life.
• Have a punitive effect on people with long-term conditions, who are already burdened with the additional costs associated with their long-term condition and reduced incomes due to their often limited ability to work.
• Create a barrier to people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other long-term conditions obtaining the medications they require to stay well and result in additional unnecessary costs to the health service and wider society.
• Pull those groups currently exempt into the charging system such as people with cancer and diabetes (medically exempted), children, pregnant women, older people and those exempt following a means test - acting to increase health inequalities. 
• Introduce additional uncapped charges for those with long-term conditions who have already purchased a prescription prepayment certificate- defeating the purpose of the scheme.
• Reduce health professionals’ ability to use their clinical judgement and treat patient optimally.  

We have also raised concerns that some CCGs have already begun to restrict access to ‘over the counter’ medication before national guidance has been issued and a thorough impact assessment has been undertaken.

We urge those who share our concerns with the proposals to share your views with your MP and Clinical Commissioning Group. 

A copy of our full response can be read here. For more information about the consultation please visit the NHS England website.

If you have any further comments about our response please email ppr@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk