1 comment.Persons with ME and FM excluded from free medicines – AD
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Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party expressed its disappointment that ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy) and FM (Fibromyalgia) have not been included in Government’s new list of chronic conditions, in the schedule V which guarantee entitlement for free medicines.
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said, “Persons with ME and FM face constant difficulties in their everyday life. They rely on various medicines according to their individual needs. Most also require alternative therapies and treatment, all of which are costly. Yet, given that ME and FM are not recognised as chronic illnesses or disability, they are not entitled to specific assistance.”
“They also need to pay for the special costly foodstuffs in view of intolerances and gut problems and sensitivities. To make matters worse, many persons with ME or FM cannot be in employment, which, in turn increases risk of poverty, he concluded.”
In the UK, people who have illnesses, including M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) and FM (Fibromyalgia), which entitle them to claim disability benefits, do not – as is often mistakenly believed and reported – get free prescriptions, spectacles, or dental treatment but have to pay a contribution, if not in full; whereas some benefits claimants, seeking employment, who are fit and healthy (and, therefore, would have less need of medication) automatically get them free.
In Malta, if these are not considered chronic illnesses, what are the criteria that they do not fulfil, which the ones on the list do have?
It might be a matter of discrimination that M.E. and FM sufferers could contest in the European Courts, if only they were not too chronically ill to do it … Aha!