Good medicine…

Prescription charges are up by more than 25 per cent in the last decade, which equates to 10 per cent of the Scottish health budget. This recent headline is not telling the real story: the NHS is victim of its own success.

It is worthwhile bearing in mind that during this period inflation has risen by a similar amount. But we must look at the bigger picture, that of an aging population, living longer with complex health issues, yet able to live at home with the aid of prescribed medication, a success we should all acknowledge and applaud the Scottish Government for.

The Conservatives question the ethos of free prescriptions in Scotland and ask, are we getting value for money?

We certainly are, as many people can avoid hospital stays and can pick up their prescriptions and treat their conditions at home without having to ask if they can afford to do so, is the bigger picture, and in the long term saving the health service in Scotland a fortune.

The consequences of reintroducing prescription charges would be the deterioration of conditions, resulting in more hospital stays which in turn would cost the NHS and ultimately the taxpayer. It would be a false economy.

CATRIONA C CLARK Hawthorn Drive, Banknock

The Scotsman on Wednesday focussed on the rising costs of prescriptions in Scotland and pointed out that the cost has gone up by 25 per cent in the past ten years.

There is no mention that inflation has been taken into account and it so happens that the increase in the Consumer Price Index over the past ten years has been 24 per cent.

Assuming that the cost of prescriptions has increased in line with inflation and that the number of prescriptions has increased by over 20 per cent as stated, then it looks as though the cost per prescription has decreased significantly. Surely this is something to congratulate the Scottish Government on rather than to berate them for?

ANDREW COOK River View, Dalgety Bay