U.K. Thalassaemia Society

If you have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC (prescription prepayment certificate). The charge for a single prescription item is £7.20, whereas a PPC for 12 months costs £104.00 and cover ALL your prescription charges in the 12 month period. Furthermore you can spread the cost of the PPC by paying £10.40 per month for 10 months.

You can buy or renew a PPC on-line and set up your direct debit by visiting the NHS Business Services Authority on http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx

There is also a telephone advice line and order line you can call 0845 850 0030.

For further information

• You must be a resident of England to purchase a PPC.

• You can also pay for a 3-month PPC which costs £28.25

• Those receiving certain benefits (e.g. income support, tax credits) may be exempt form paying prescription charges

• Some pharmacies are registered to sell PPCs. Your local pharmacist will be able to advise you if you need any more information about prescription charges

 Prescription charge increase information - April 2011

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Ferriprox (deferiprone) to treat patients with iron overload due to blood transfusions in patients with thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that causes anemia, who had an inadequate response to prior chelation therapy.

Patients with thalassemia have excess iron in the body from the frequent blood transfusions (transfusional iron overload), a condition that is serious and can be fatal. These patients also have a risk of developing liver disease, diabetes, arthritis, heart failure or an abnormal heart rhythm.

 Read More on this story

The UKTS were very honoured to receive a visit from her Royal Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif Al Nahyan from Abu Dhabi during her visit to London.  Following her Royal Highness’s new position of becoming a Director on the Board of TIF, the UKTS were delighted in accepting an invitation to host the Royal party at our office.  Her Royal Highness and her advisors wished to find out what the UKTS has been involved in with specific news on research and development.  Our President, Gabriel Theophanous, our Secretary, George Constantinou and Chris Sotirelis, delivered a joint presentation covering all aspects of the UKTS’s history and achievements including ground breaking success on research, campaigns and representation. View the Presentation.

As stimulating discussion between the Royal Highnesses’, her advisors and UKTS Trustees followed the presentation that allowed our patient society, to use this occasion as a  great platform to showcase the work that has been achieved to date and to elaborate on our plans for the future of treatment of thalassaemia.

The UKTS was very grateful for this opportunity and  hope that we will continue to have a successful partnership with her Royal Highness and her advisors in all aspects of thalassaemia including, awareness, education, outreach and research  on a global scale.