A YORK pensioner who was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease almost 50 years ago is calling on the Government to introduce free prescriptions for sufferers.

At present, people diagnosed with Colitis or Crohn's - both serious and sometimes life-threatening inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) - have to pay the full prescription charges for each of their medicines, whereas some other long-term medical conditions qualify for exemption.

IBD causes parts of the small and large intestines to become inflamed, swollen and ulcerated. The most common symptoms are persistent, painful, bloody diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss and continual exhaustion.

Alan Dinsdale, 70, of Fordlands Road, York, said that the current cost of treatment could prevent sufferers of these debilitating diseases from getting the help they need - and that free prescriptions were vital.

The former bank manager is a member of the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease (NACC), which launched the national campaign this week as part of Colitis and Crohn's Week.

Mr Dinsdale, who must take nine different medicines a day, said he was lucky enough to receive free prescriptions because his GP fought his case and he was deemed eligible.

But, he said, many sufferers of chronic IBD were not that lucky and had to struggle to pay for all their medication.

He said: "Many people have difficulty keeping a job and they just fall outside the means testing.

"It can mean that people will have food, but they won't necessarily have their prescriptions.

"Something's got to go - and sometimes it's the medicine that goes.

"There are a number of illnesses that are automatically on the free prescription list and we want to see Colitis and Crohn's on that list."

Until both conditions are added to the list of illnesses qualifying for exemption, NACC is trying to raise awareness of the Prescription Pre-payment Certificate (PPC) as a temporary answer.

Richard Driscoll, director of NACC, said that many patients were unaware of the option.

He said: "For those patients who know they will have more than 14 prescriptions in a year and who can afford to pay £90 up-front, the PPC does put a cap on their prescription costs; and the scheme can benefit anyone with a long-term condition."

For more information on the NACC Prescription Charge Campaign and details of how to petition local MPs, phone the Campaign Hotline on 0845 130 3823 or visit www.nacc.org.uk

Updated: 10:16 Tuesday, June 24, 2003