Pernicious Anaemia Society

Bridgend Based International Charity Takes its Fight to Parliament.

DATE:19/10/09
TIME:11.am
EMBARGOED UNTIL:11.am 19/10/2009
DOWNLOAD PDF: 20091019-02.pdf

Further Information from M. Hooper. 01656 724163/720187 07545897608

The Pernicious Anaemia Society, which is based in Aberkenfig, just north of Bridgend, South Wales, has uncovered a series of problems relating to the Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Pernicious Anaemia.
It is not known how many people in Wales suffer from the disease because many patients are diagnosed as suffering from Depression, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and M.E. but are later diagnosed as suffering from Pernicious Anaemia.

“Until the society came into being in 2006 there was nowhere that patients diagnosed as suffering from Pernicious Anaemia could go for information and support. This society has nearly four thousand members with roughly one third living outside the U.K.

“The problems faced by our members in the U.K. are the same faced by our members overseas. There is an urgent need for a Review of the Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Pernicious Anaemia to end the unnecessary suffering that is being caused,” says the fifty year old former lecturer who had to give up his career due to him developing the condition.

There is no cure for the disease and patients are kept alive by them receiving injections of vitamin B12. “Whereas in the 1960s patients received an injection every month, the treatment was changed to an injection every two months in 1974 and to every three months in 1984. When our members ask their doctor for more frequent injections they are almost routinely offered anti-depressants when all they want is a vitamin. Many of our members have resorted to buying the injection from the internet or mainland Europe (where it is available over the counter) and then injecting themselves without the knowledge or consent of their doctors. Others suffer needlessly”, says Martyn.

An Early Day Motion has now been tabled in Westminster by a Bristol M.P. who is aware of the problems faced by members of the society. The society is actively encouraging its members to ask their M.P to support the motion and it is holding a Parliamentary Reception on Wed. 28th October.