Prescriptions hike ‘catastrophe’
MILLIONS of NHS patients face prescription charge increases from April, it was revealed yesterday.
The cost of a single item will increase by 20p to £8.80.
Campaigners warned the price hike would be felt most by those suffering from longterm illnesses.
Matina Loizou, senior policy and campaigns adviser at Parkinson’s UK and co-chair of the Prescription Charges Coalition, said: “This hike will be catastrophic for people with long-term, or lifelong, conditions.
“The rise of 20p per prescription can put further strain on already stretched budgets. Many people can’t work full-time because of their condition and on top of additional costs – such as specialist transport or specific dietary requirements – prescription charges can push them over the limit.
“We’ve heard distressing experiences from people who are facing impossible choices over whether they should eat, heat their home or pay for essential medications.
“The Government needs to ease, not increase, the financial burden on those who have already endured enough.” A year ago the cost of prescriptions jumped from £8.40 to £8.60. The Department of Health and Social Care said the latest rise was in line with inflation.
It said there will be no increase in pre-paid prescription payment certificates to “ensure those with the greatest need are protected”.
Patients can obtain a yearlong certificate for £104 – equivalent to £2 a week – or a three-month certificate for £29.10 regardless of the number of items prescribed during the period.
Professor Helen StokesLampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “Any rise in prescription costs is regrettable and it is important that no patient is financially disadvantaged as a result of having to pay for their medication.
“But we appreciate that prescription costs are a significant expense for our cashstrapped NHS, so we always encourage those who can pay for their medicines to do so, whether prescribed or medication to be purchased over the counter.
“GPs and our teams will always try to advise patients of the most cost-effective way of paying for their medicines, such as prepayment certificates which help them spread the cost.”