A NORTH Yorkshire MP is demanding free prescriptions for patients with asthma, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease and cystic fibrosis.

Harrogate's Phil Willis has joined a Westminster protest against the NHS continuing to charge patients who are "chronically ill".

He is hoping to exploit a division in government ranks, following a decision by the ruling Labour group in the Welsh Assembly to end the charges.

Campaigners point out this will create a "postcode lottery" and have urged the Labour Party at Westminster to follow the Welsh lead.

Liberal Democrat Mr Willis said the Government-commissioned Wanless report had already described the situation in England as "not logical, nor rooted in the principles of the NHS".

He said Labour had pledged to introduce free prescriptions for those requiring long-term health care before winning election in 1997 - but had failed to do so.

"They are a serious barrier to health care, particularly for those suffering from chronic conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis," Mr Willis said.

Medication for the long-term sick accounts for only 20 per cent of the money the Government gets from prescription charges.

The Liberal Democrats argue that, as a result, their proposal would not "break the bank".

But some experts are urging the Government to go even further and scrap prescription charging for all patients.

John Appleby, chief economist at the leading health think tank the King's Fund, said that abolishing charges in England would cost the government around £450m.

Taxation was a fairer way of raising such funds, he said.

He added: "The feeling from economists is that charges are a blunt policy instrument for raising extra revenue.

"There's a danger that patients who genuinely need medicine are not getting it because of the cost."

Updated: 09:08 Thursday, May 01, 2003