PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
PEN NEEDLES ON PRESCRIPTION FOR DIABETICS (24 November 1998)

That this House calls upon the Secretary of State for Health to acknowledge that insulin-dependent diabetics will require pen needles throughout their entire lifetime; notes that insulin-dependent diabetics have to care for themselves on a day to day basis; notes that diabetics using pen needles benefit from better control of diabetes and are likely to have fewer complications; notes that pen needles are re-used more often than syringe needles; notes that pen devices are more convenient for use by children, the elderly, the visually impaired and stroke sufferers; notes that the present system whereby some patients are provided with needles free through their diabetic clinics but paid for by the NHS is unfair; and calls for an early review of current policy and for provision of pen needles on prescription for all insulin-dependent diabetics.

Sponsored by:
Mr Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat)