A BATTLE to give diabetics a better deal has won local support and official Government recognition.

The Government is currently consulting on plans to make re-usable pen injections the preferred instrument for injecting insulin.

An estimated 700 people in Bolton who are insulin dependent rely on these pens to administer the drug.

However, Dr John Dean, Consultant Physician at the Royal Bolton Hospital, believes the Government's further intention to remove disposable pens from the prescription list has far reaching implications for the army of people in Bolton who use them.

If that move goes ahead, those type of insulin pens would be available over the counter in pharmacies instead of on doctor's prescription at present.

Welcome

"Whilst we welcome the fact that the Government is proposing to make pen needles available on NHS prescription, we must also bear in mind it plans to remove disposable pens from the prescription list," he said.

The campaign to make pen needles available on prescription was first raised five years ago in Bolton by Cllr Peter Birch, who has been a diabetic for more than 30 years and is totally dependent on insulin, having to inject four times a day.

As Chairman of the Bolton branch of the British Diabetic Association, which has been co-ordinating the national campaign to get reusable pens available on prescription, Cllr Birch, said: "There are 700 people who are insulin dependent in Bolton and these people will all benefit from this legislation when it's introduced.

"These proposals will make a very real difference to the quality of life of so many people and I'm delighted that things are starting to move in the right direction."

Bolton North East MP David Crausby has already written to Cllr Birch about the Government's plans and, in his letter, he says: "We want to make re-usable insulin injection pens available on the NHS to patients who suffer from diabetes.

"Pen needles and re-usable pens would be of great help to people with diabetes who find it uncomfortable to inject themselves using the larger syringe needles."

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