Funding for the pain-relief patch Versatis has been removed from the Drugs Payment Scheme. Liveline has been hearing from people who rely on the medicated patches for pain relief.
Mary-Rose has fibromyalgia and has been using the patches for 8 years. She says she’s tried all the suggested alternatives to Versatis but finds that none work as well for her.
“I was begging for them and people were begging on my behalf…I don't know what I’m going to do. There’s nothing you can do. You just feel hopeless.”
She explained that she is now rationing her remaining patches and cutting them up into smaller pieces.
“With fibromyalgia, the pain moves around your body. So, now I’m just cutting them up and putting them on where it’s the worst…I have a few left and I’m rationing them.”
Listen back to Liveline here.