CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Early day motion 921, tabled 4 March 2002 by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour). Signed by 129 members.

That this House welcomes the announcement that the Cystic Fibrosis Trust is to be the Tesco Charity of the Year 2002; notes that cystic fibrosis is the UK's most common, life-threatening disease, which affects more than 7,500 babies, children and young adults across the UK and that exemption from NHS prescription charges would ease the burden on the estimated 1,000 people with cystic fibrosis on whom charges are levied; further notes that the Labour Party in its 1994 consultation document, 'Labour 2000' stated that, 'We will seek to provide free medication as part of ongoing treatment or long term requirements. For example those suffering from cystic fibrosis who reach adulthood should not have to rely on some other category such as diabetes in order to obtain free prescriptions'; and calls on the Government to extend the list of chronic medical conditions exempted from prescription charges to cover cystic fibrosis, at a cost of approximately E120,000 per annum.

Signatures by party: Labour 78, Liberal Democrat 26, Conservative 9, Labour/Co-operative 7, Plaid Cymru 3, DUP 2, UUP 2, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1.