Sir, - Diabetes affects more than 7.5 per cent of people over 40 in this country. Poor care of the condition results in a large burden in terms of quality of life and is a heavy drain on the health service, taking up approximately 10 per cent of the health budget. Studies, including a very large one in September published in the British Medical Journal and the Lancet, clearly show the benefits of drugs which reduce blood pressure and cholesterol in preventing all the complications of diabetes. The complications destroy lives and are very expensive to the health service.
Last week, to our amazement, the Government increased the burden of diabetes by reducing refunds on medications needed for long-term care of many diabetic patients. This policy will be a disincentive to many patients to comply with medications which quite clearly prevent long-term illness. This policy will surely result in an even greater burden to the health service in years to come.
We ask the Minister to give free medication to people with diabetes, so that not only blood sugar, but also blood pressure and cholesterol can be effectively treated. Good care of diabetes prevents blindness and heart attacks and it saves lives. - Yours, etc., Prof G. H. Tomkin,
Chairman, Diabetes Federation of Ireland, Gardiner Street Lower, Dublin 1.