Restore Full Access to the FreeStyle Libre for People with Diabetes in the UK
The Issue
Every person living with diabetes deserves access to life-saving tools that help them manage their condition effectively. The FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3, a continuous glucose monitoring device, has become essential for thousands of people managing diabetes in the UK, offering a painless, accurate, and convenient way to monitor glucose levels and maintain health.
However, recent changes to the availability of the FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3 have restricted this vital device to NHS prescriptions only, with pharmacies allowed to carry a maximum of just six units. These changes mean that many people with diabetes are now facing unnecessary barriers to accessing the monitoring tools they need. For individuals who don’t qualify for an NHS prescription, these restrictions take away their ability to buy the device whenever they need it.
We believe this policy is unfair and harmful for several reasons:
Restricted Access to Essential Health Tools: People with diabetes who depend on the FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3 must be able to purchase it without facing prescription limits or shortages. Access should be readily available to all who need it, not just those who meet specific NHS criteria.
Increased Burden on NHS Resources: With limited over-the-counter availability, many people will be forced to seek NHS prescriptions, creating additional strain on healthcare resources.
Health Inequity: These restrictions disproportionately impact those who cannot easily access NHS services or who do not qualify for free prescriptions, leaving them vulnerable to unmanaged blood glucose levels and related health risks.
We urge Abbott Laboratories and the Department of Health and Social Care to restore over-the-counter availability of the FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3, allowing pharmacies to stock this essential device in quantities that meet the demand of their communities. We believe that individuals with diabetes should have the freedom to manage their health with dignity and without obstacles.
Sign this petition to demand that Abbott Laboratories and the Department of Health and Social Care ensure unrestricted access to the FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3 for all who need it in the UK. Together, let’s advocate for policies that prioritize the health and well-being of every person living with diabetes.
Let’s make diabetes management accessible for everyone. #MakeLibreAccessible
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The Issue
Every person living with diabetes deserves access to life-saving tools that help them manage their condition effectively. The FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3, a continuous glucose monitoring device, has become essential for thousands of people managing diabetes in the UK, offering a painless, accurate, and convenient way to monitor glucose levels and maintain health.
However, recent changes to the availability of the FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3 have restricted this vital device to NHS prescriptions only, with pharmacies allowed to carry a maximum of just six units. These changes mean that many people with diabetes are now facing unnecessary barriers to accessing the monitoring tools they need. For individuals who don’t qualify for an NHS prescription, these restrictions take away their ability to buy the device whenever they need it.
We believe this policy is unfair and harmful for several reasons:
Restricted Access to Essential Health Tools: People with diabetes who depend on the FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3 must be able to purchase it without facing prescription limits or shortages. Access should be readily available to all who need it, not just those who meet specific NHS criteria.
Increased Burden on NHS Resources: With limited over-the-counter availability, many people will be forced to seek NHS prescriptions, creating additional strain on healthcare resources.
Health Inequity: These restrictions disproportionately impact those who cannot easily access NHS services or who do not qualify for free prescriptions, leaving them vulnerable to unmanaged blood glucose levels and related health risks.
We urge Abbott Laboratories and the Department of Health and Social Care to restore over-the-counter availability of the FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3, allowing pharmacies to stock this essential device in quantities that meet the demand of their communities. We believe that individuals with diabetes should have the freedom to manage their health with dignity and without obstacles.
Sign this petition to demand that Abbott Laboratories and the Department of Health and Social Care ensure unrestricted access to the FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3 for all who need it in the UK. Together, let’s advocate for policies that prioritize the health and well-being of every person living with diabetes.
Let’s make diabetes management accessible for everyone. #MakeLibreAccessible
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Petition created on 29 October 2024