Abolish Prescription Charges

[EPCEngland]

I've started a petition on abolishing prescription charges in England. I'd be very grateful if people signed it. I myself take medication for Depression and other health conditions, and I know many others are in the same position.

petition.parliament.uk/peti...

[Hidden]

Hi I have signed it. I don't have to pay any more because I am over 60 thank goodness.

Did you know you can get a yearly prescription card for just over £100? Ok it's not free but it can work out a lot cheaper. x

[jaxtra07 in reply to Hidden]

Hi. How do you go about getting a yearly prescription card. Not for me as I am also over 60 but a family member.

[Hidden in reply to jaxtra07]

The chemist would know. Otherwise you can do it online. x

[jaxtra07 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you x

[Celtic27]

Hi there i do hope your petitition works im grateful that i live in scotland as i have to get at least 7 different items a month so the cost would be crippling ! I hope the westminster government listen to you but i doubt it good luck

[mena52]

Great idea, definitely signing this. Not fair that prescriptions are free in Wales & Scotland. Thank you

[mena52 in reply to mena52]

Signed and shared on Facebook & Twitter. x

[Hidden in reply to mena52]

And Northern Ireland.

[Hidden]

Hi. I'm from Northern Ireland & we get free prescriptions. There's no means testing just everybody is eligible.

[Clazzy78]

I've signed. I have an exemption card. Other half works but on a low income, I'm very grateful as I'm on a bit of medication at the moment and it really helps.

[deejames]

Here in Scotland all prescriptions are free but I am not sure they should be for everyone. Making them free no matter someone's income is hugely expensive and subject to thoughtless abuse. Repeats are ordered even if not necessary. Simple medications like paracetamol which can be bought for under 30p are demanded even though I believe the cost to the NHS is around £9. Yes make them free for low incomes, disabled and those with multiple and chronic illnesses but not for all.

Or am I wrong ?

Dee

[EPCEngland]

First of all, the Department of Health says the reason paracetamol costs the NHS more is because they give larger quantities of it than you can buy over-the-counter (my Grandma gets paracetamol on the NHS and she gets boxes of 500), so it's not really fair to compare over-the-counter prices for 16 tablets to a box of 500, which would obviously cost more. The cost of paracetamol prescriptions also covers liquid paracetamol, which is also more expensive than the tablets.

Regarding medication waste, nobody has ever shown it leads to increased waste. The number of prescriptions issued actually fell in Scotland when prescriptions were made free.

pharmaceutical-journal.com/...

90% of medications in England are already dispensed free of charge. It is quite a small-but important- number of people who would be affected by removing costs.

[Hidden]

I have heard that 90% figure before and it should counted per person rather than the number of meds. People with a serious illness are more liable to be on benefits or over 60 and might get a lot of meds. Those with diabetes, thyroid problems and some others get all their prescritions free too.

The normal person who might go only twice a year for a prescription has to pay for them. For example they might have a chest infection and need ab's and more than 1 lot. They have to pay the full price and there are a lot of people affected. They are already struggling with bills and cannot afford meds as well especially as they are over £8 each now.

Don't forget all the people who are claiming contribution based benefits - they have to pay too. It's only if they get income based benefit that they don't have to pay. Aboloshing prescription charges would help a lot of people struggling on low incomes. x