For anyone who didn’t catch the presenting of the petition last night please see this link
MP Jane Hunt, did an amazing job for us in summarising the written petition, the text from which I add below, but it can also be viewed on Hansard .
This was not the Change.org Petition
To clarify, this was an entirely new Government Petition signed by me and Damian as it was being presented by Jane who is our MP.
It was however really important to mention the 94,000 signatures we have already garnered from the Change.org petition so that the strength of feeling was demonstrated.
Here’s the full wording:
Petition: Removing classification of Prescription Only Medicine from injectable vitamin B12
To the House of Commons.
The petition of the residents of the constituency of Loughborough.
Declares that a lack of B12 can have far reaching and significant effects on both physical and mental health; notes that a significant number of people who are B12 deficient are unable to absorb the vitamin from food or supplements, and so need to inject it, which they can only do at their GP practice; further notes that NICE CKS guidance states that treatment of B12 deficiency in people with neurologic involvement should include injections on alternate days until there is no further improvement; further notes that a restricted maintenance dose of just four injections per year is what is normally allowed, which can leave people physically and mentally unable to contribute to either family or society, and lead to permanent neurological damage; further notes that, in response to a Freedom of Information request asking for the clinical evidence for the three monthly maintenance dose, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency stated that they were unable to obtain this information; further notes that B12 injectables should be made available over the counter at pharmacies, which would bring our approach in line with that of other countries, affording those with B12 deficiency the same dignity and control over their own health as a diabetic using insulin, and reducing the workload and financial burden on GP practices, District Nurses and other NHS services; further notes that a Change.org petition started by the petitioners on this issue has garnered over 94,000 signatures.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to remove the classification of Prescription Only Medicine from injectable vitamin B12.
And the petitioners remain, etc.
Now all we can do is hope and wait for a positive response that will give us the ability to treat ourselves according to our own individual need.
I will keep you updated!
Kindness always
Tracey x
Thank YOU for your kindness in sharing this post. You can buy your “B12 for life” campaign pin here.
Thanks Tracey. So what happens next? Is this debated behind closed doors or can we assist it by letting our own MP know that this petition is being discussed?
Also is there a timetable for this to be considered or does it just sit around until they decide to pull it out of the box?
We should hear within 8 weeks Mahlen. I feel that asking your MP to get on board would be a good thing. Best wishes Tracey
Thanks for taking this initiative.❤️
Thank you for taking the time to comment Anke!
Thank you, and the people helping you, for all your hard work on behalf of B12d patients. Let’s hope this petition will lead to positive change for all of us.
Thank you.
Wow, thanks for plugging this at The House Of Commons, B12 deficiency should he treated the same as insulin users for diabetics, unfortunately too many GP’s keep blood testing B12 deficiency and then stop treatment, at least if you know you have absorption issues OTC injections would greatly help those affected, me being one those!