NEIL Gerrard has submitted an early day motion calling for Gordon Brown to keep his promise to abolish prescription charges for people with long-term illnesses or medical conditions.

The Walthamstow MP is calling for a review of prescription charges by Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians, to be published as soon as possible and a clear timetable set for the implementation of the policy.

Mr Gerrard said: ‘I’m concerned about the number of people with long-term conditions who may be choosing to go without vital medicines as a result of the recession and the rising costs of fuel and other bills.’

‘Gordon Brown was right to promise free prescriptions for people with long-term conditions, but he must now follow through and implement this promise as soon as possible.”

Mr Gerrard's motion notes that the cost of abolishing the charges, estimated to be between £250m and £300m, can be met through savings made under the Pharmacuetical Price Regulation Scheme, which seeks to control NHS spending on drugs.

More than 80 MPs have signed in support of Mr Gerrard's motion.

He said: “This indicates the strength of feeling that we need to get on with putting the promise on charges into practice.’ A campaign, backed by 18 charities, called Prescription Promise, is also calling on Mr Brown to honour the pledge.

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