Petition · past parliament

Force UK Drug Companies to supply Lactose Free versions of EVERY drug.

Rejected 16 signatures

What the petition asks

Many people in the UK are blocked from taking medications as they contain Lactose. There is often no Lactose free version available. The Lactose in medication must be replaced with another, less allergenic filler and ALL medication in the UK must have a Lactose free version available..
Most tablets in the UK contain Lactose (milk sugar). It is used as a cheap filler. Many people in the UK are Lactose Intolerant or have a Cow's Milk Allergy. The Lactose used means that they cannot use that medication without suffering serious reactions to the Lactose. Up to 20% of the UK population are Lactose Intolerant, half of those seriously.

Vegans (personal choice or Religion) are also affected. Add these to those listed above and we are approaching a quarter of the population!

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

The Government is not responsible for the drugs that pharmaceutical manufacturers choose to produce.

You could start a petition calling on the UK Government to fund the production of lactose-free drugs for people who are lactose intolerant.

The NHS advises people who are lactose intolerant who need to start taking a new medication to check with their GP or pharmacist in case it contains lactose: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lactose-intolerance/treatment/

Timeline

12 Aug 2020 Petition opened for signatures
18 Aug 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 16
Status Rejected
Rejected 18 Aug 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.