PEN NEEDLES ON PRESCRIPTION FOR DIABETICS

Early day motion 14, tabled 14 May 1997 by Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 178 members.

That this House calls upon the Secretary of State for Health to acknowledge that insulin-dependent diabetics will require pen needles throughout their entire lifetime; notes that insulin-dependent diabetics have to care for themselveson a day to day basis; notes that diabetics using pen needles benefit from better control of diabetes and are likely to have fewer complications; notes that pen needles are re-used more often than syringe needles; notes that pen devices are more convenient for use by children, the elderly, the visually impaired and stroke sufferers; notes that the present system whereby some patients are provided with needles free through their diabetic clinics but paid for by the NHS is unfair; and calls for an early review of current policy and for provision of pen needles on prescription for all insulin-dependent diabetics.

Signatures by party: Labour 99, Liberal Democrat 34, Conservative 19, Labour/Co-operative 10, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 4, UUP 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UKUP 1, Unknown 1.