A 23% VAT increase on food supplements is to be brought into effect on March 1,
2019. Fighting Blindness is concerned about the impact this will have on
people living with sight loss, many of whom take food supplements that have
been recommended by their doctors to slow down the progression of their
condition.
Fighting Blindness is requesting an immediate review of this decision by the
Revenue Commissioners and intervention from the Departments of Health and
Finance on the matter.
Join the Fight!
Join the fight by contacting your local T.D. and asking them to raise this
issue at Government level. You can
<http://www.fightingblindness.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Letter-to-T.D.s-about-VAT-on-supplements-Feb-2019-read-only.docx>
download a draft letter here and add your signature to the bottom before
sending it to your T.D..
You will find contact details for your T.D, at:
www.whoismytd.com <http://www.whoismytd.com>
Food Supplements for Sight Loss
One of the most commonly used eye supplements are those used to slow the
progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Seven per cent of Irish
people aged 50 years or older are living with AMD. It is the leading cause of
sight loss in this age group, with the number of people affected due to
increase in the coming years due to our aging population.
What is age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
AMD affects a tiny part of the retina at the back of the eye called the macula,
which is responsible for all our central vision, most of our colour vision and
our ability to see in fine detail. The macula plays an essential role in
everyday activities such as reading, watching television, driving and
recognising faces. In AMD, deterioration of the macula causes the gradual loss
of central vision and makes vision distorted or blurry. Over time, it may cause
dark patches in the centre of vision. The severity of this condition varies
from person to person. Some studies have shown that taking a supplement
containing vitamins C and E, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin can help slow
down the progression of disease.
Impact of VAT introduction?
In the past, these supplements for AMD were available on the Discretionary
Hardship Scheme. This arrangement was phased out in 2016 and as of January 2017
supplements for AMD were completely removed from the scheme. With the
Revenueâs decision to introduce a VAT rate of 23% on these items, the already
costly supplements will increase further in price, and quite significantly.
A 2017 study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology evaluated the
cost-effectiveness of food supplements used by sub-groups of people with AMD.
It found the supplement use to be cost saving and recommended that it be
publicly funded. Not only is the supplement not funded for any person in
Ireland, it is now to be subject to the highest possible rate of VAT, making
them too expensive for some people to buy.
There is currently no treatment available for Dry AMD. These food supplements,
along with lifestyle changes, are the only option for people affected.
The treatment for Wet AMD is an injection directly into the eye, frequency of
injections will vary for each person and is determined by an ophthalmologist.
These injections are very costly and require significant clinical time in an
ophthalmology service that is already overstretched and dealing with some of
the longest waiting lists of any speciality in the health service. They also
place significant burden on the patient. Slowing the progression of the disease
and delaying the need for injections is an important part of the treatment of
AMD.
Cora has been living with AMD for four years and takes a supplement to slow the
deterioration of her vision, to date her condition has not progressed to the
stage where she needs regular eye injections. âRevenue now want to tax the
only âtreatmentâ available to me. The 23% increase will mean an extra
â¬6.44 on the â¬28, 30-day pack that I use. I am a fit and healthy widowed
OAP with limited funds, my health and independence are very important to me. I
have no wish to become a burden on my family. â
Vision impairment can have a significant impact on quality of life and
independence, and is associated with higher rates of depression, greater risk
of falls, and premature admission to a nursing home. It also places significant
burden on the health system and the State. The financial cost of vision loss to
the departments of health, social protection and finance was â¬205 million in
2010.
Concluding remarks
Studies have shown that these supplements may help reduce the risk of
progression of early AMD to late-stage AMD where costly treatment is required.
On behalf of our members and the entire sight loss community in Ireland,
Fighting Blindness is requesting an immediate review of this decision by the
Revenue Commissioners and intervention from the Departments of Health and
Finance on the matter.
For more information please contact Caitriona Dunne on 01 6789 004 or
advocacy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:advocacy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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