This week saw the start of the Parkinson's UK campaign to halt the Sinemet shortage in the UK.

If you live in the UK you can make a difference by taking part in this campaign, and by spreading the news of it to other people with Parkinson's, and support groups.

Go to:

http://www.parkinsons.org.uk

And follow the links to the campaign page.

This is a very important campaign, the Spanish have already done their bit, and now it is our turn in the UK. This is a global shortage so it is well to remember that supplies merely diverted from one country to another may see patients in other, maybe less empowered, places at the mercy of these shortages. There is a way to express this in the standard email that will go to Merck, as well as to add any personal experience you may have had of having difficulty obtaining this essential medication.

If you have had adverse effects from being swapped from one supply to another, onto a generic, or another medication, mention it, it will also add weight to the campaign. It is important that it is understood that there is a fine balance with Parkinson's medication, and disruption to supply of medication can result in very real difficulties for the individual patient. Your experience counts.

If you join the National Campaigns Group, they will keep you informed of progress on this campaign, and how Merck responds to their request for an online meeting with patients to answer questions on why there is a shortage of an essential medication.

I suggest that if you have specific questions on the reasons for the shortage that you contact Parkinson's UK with them, they will be interested in anything that supports this campaign.

You can also go to the Parkinson's UK Facebook page to follow how things develop.

If you belong to a group or site with people from the UK please feel free to copy this post.

If you are reading this, and you are outside of the UK and experiencing difficulties, please post. The shortage announced was global, and it would be good to get a picture of what is happening elsewhere.

Thanks
Lindy