Patients 'struggle to afford drugs'

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A survey for Macmillan Cancer Support also found patients going without family outings and holidays due to the mounting cost of prescriptions over a long period of time.

The side-effects of treatment, including nausea, fatigue, severe mouth ulcers and diarrhoea, can leave cancer patients needing multiple prescriptions. The cost can run into hundreds of pounds every year, the charity said.

Prescriptions are free for everyone in Wales and will be free in Scotland from 2011. In England, the cost of a prescription is £7.10 per item and Health Secretary Alan Johnson has said there are no plans to abolish the current system.

The Macmillan survey of 477 cancer patients found 44% had cut back on essential items like food or heating to pay for the cost of their prescriptions. Almost two-thirds (59%) had also cut back on entertainment and leisure activities, including evenings out, family outings and holidays.

The charity has argued that prescription charges are a tax on illness and should be abolished.

Chief executive Ciaran Devane said: "It's appalling that cancer patients in England are forced to cut back on basic necessities like food to pay for their urgently-needed medication. People must never be forced to choose between food or medication. The Government must act now.

"Patients should be allowed to focus on getting better instead of worrying how they're going to find money for prescriptions."

One patient, Amanda from Surrey, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last September, told the charity: "My treatment's over but I'm still struggling. I'm now on statutory sick pay because I've been too unwell to work and quite frankly, have barely enough money to live on.

"I've had to adjust my lifestyle to cope with the cancer - a better diet, more heating, lots of prescriptions - and when you add it all up, it's expensive. Fighting cancer is hard enough without the terrible financial worry that comes with it."