Charities call for urgent meeting with Health Sec

SUDEP Action has joined forces with Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Action and Parkinsons UK to write to Health Sec Victoria Atkins - calling for a meeting to discuss epilepsy medicine shortages. 

Last week the Nuffield Trust released a report showing that medication shortages had become the new norm in post-Brexit Britain, with a shock rise in shortages of life-saving drugs such as anti-seizure medications. Read report here 

In recent months, SUDEP Action, along with the other named charities on the letter, has received an increase in calls from worried people, trying to find a pharmacies to fulfil their prescriptions. 

The named charities recently carried out a survey of more than 1,500 people, which found: 

* 70% of respondents had difficulties getting medications over the past five years 

* 22% reported problems in the last month

* 66% were only given a fraction of their prescription

* 40% saw a worsening of their symptoms, with the stress of trying to get their prescriptions filled contributing to problems 

* Almost 40% of respondents with epilepsy reported having seizures due to having to switch or skip medications 

The findings make for grim readings which is why SUDEP Action is calling for the urgent meeting with the Rt Hon Victoria Atkins, Health Sec, on behalf of the 800,000 people with epilpesy or Parkinsons in the UK.


READ THE FULL LETTER HERE