NHS to cut free prescriptions

THE NHS is set to ban homeopathy on prescription as part of a bid to save £250million a year. The treatment is widely discredited by medical experts.

But NHS chiefs sparked anger over plans to limit free prescriptions of other items, such as painkillers, indigestion pills, eye drops, hayfever medicines, laxatives and gluten-free food.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society said the move raised “serious concerns” for poorer patients. Sandra Gidley, of the 999 CALL HEROES: PAGES 24&25 RPS, said: “A blanket ban on prescribing of items available to buy will not improve individual quality of life or health outcomes. Those on low incomes will be disproportionately affected.”

Don Redding, of National Voices, which represents 140 health and care charities, said: “There are many patients who would be unable to afford the remedies over the counter... such as the under-16s, people living with cancer, pregnant women and those on low incomes.”