LONDON, Jan. 20 (Chinese media) -- People being treated for
cancer in Britain can apply for free prescriptions as of Tuesday, according to
the Health Department.
The new plan, promised by Prime Minister Gordon Brown
last September, abolishes National Health Service (NHS) prescription charges for
everyone undergoing treatment for cancer, the effects of cancer, or the effects
of cancer treatment.
"This new scheme gives people living with cancer one
less worry at such a difficult time," said Dawn Primarolo, the Public Health
Minister.
Up to 150,000 patients already diagnosed with cancer
are expected to benefit, and each may annually save 100 pounds (about 150 U.S.
dollars) in prescription charges.
All cancer patients are entitled to apply for a
five-year exemption certificate, which will entitle them to all their NHS
prescriptions free of charge, not just those ones related to cancer. The
certificate can be renewed as many times as necessary and will not have to be
returned if the patient's condition changes.
Ciaran Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer
Support, described the plan, expected to be extended to cover some five million
cancer patients, including those with long-term conditions, as "absolutely the
right thing to do."
"Cancer not only threatens your life, but can also
make you poor. Free prescriptions will transform the lives of thousands of
people living with cancer who were struggling to pay for drugs," Devane said.
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