A PENSIONER with Parkinson's disease has finally got his symptoms under control after he claims a generic drug set his condition back years.

Alan Denham, from Dalton, had been using the brand name medication Mirapixen to help control the tremors that occur with the disease.

The 65-year-old agreed to switch to the generic version - pramiprexole - to help save the monthly £350 cost to the NHS for his branded tablets.

But it was a move that was to cost him dearly.

Mr Denham, who was diagnosed with the neurological condition 16 years ago, said: "It's taken a while to get back on track. The pramiprexole just sent me to pot.

"It set me back quite a long way so I went back to the doctors to see if I could have the original drug again."

Married father-of-four Mr Denham, who is a fundraiser for the Parkinson's UK Furness Branch, was asked to make the medication switch by his GP in a bid to help bring down the NHS's spiralling drugs bill.

But he quickly realised the unbranded version was making his condition worse and affecting his quality of life.

Mr Denham said: "They are supposed to be the same quality - but the new one I was given didn't work for me.

"What these companies charge the NHS for medication is astronomical. People with conditions like Parkinson's need these medicines and pricing them too high is not on."

NHS England is now carrying out a review of drugs pricing within the UK.

But pharmacist Ben Merriman, a member of the Cumbria local pharmaceutical committee, said the active ingredient would be the same within both versions of the tablets.

Mr Merriman said: "However, sometimes the filler or coating of the medication may be different and a very small number of people may not be able to tolerate those particular ingredients.

"The important thing for people to know is that price has no bearing on the quality of a medication.

"More expensive or brand name drugs are not better than generic versions. But if someone is struggling following a change they should speak to their pharmacist or GP for advice."

A spokesman for Cumbria's Clinical Commissioning Group said generic drugs must be manufactured to the same quality as branded products under the terms of UK licensing agreements.

Parkinson's disease: What is it?

Parkinson's is a neurological condition affecting the brain.

Chemicals that trigger a physical reaction no longer work - and result in physical effects.

It causes tremors, which usually begin in the hand or arm.

Sufferers find movement more difficult and complete tasks slowly.

It also causes muscle stiffness - often seen in facial expressions.

Balance and a person's sense of smell can also be affected.

Can it be treated?

There is no cure at the moment, but the symptoms can be helped by a range of medication.

Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy can all also be used to help ease the symptoms.

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