‘Over-60s forced to choose paying for medicine or their other bills’
ANGER is growing at “cruel” Government proposals to scrap free NHS prescriptions for the over-60s.
Campaigners warn it would hit more than a million older people, many of whom would be unable to afford vital medicines if they had to pay for them.
The move could come into force as soon as April, with the £9.35 prescription fee potentially increased at the same time.
Yesterday the head of a campaign against the move warned that people would face “choosing between which medicine they can afford or which bills they can pay.”
Barrier
Ministers put forward the proposal last year and could bring in an extra £300million for the NHS by 2026/27.
If it goes ahead, the age for free NHS prescriptions would be pushed back to 66 – in line with the state pension age. Qualification would then climb alongside the state pension age, which is due to start to rise to 67 from 2026.
In England, patients receive free prescriptions when they turn 60, which has not changed since 1974 for women and 1995 for men. Medicines are free for all in Scotland,Wales and
Northern Ireland. Those reaching state pension age will continue to receive free prescriptions in England.
Campaign group, the Prescription Charges Coalition, is leading the fight against the proposal.
Chair Laura Cockram, who is also head of policy and campaigns at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Charging for prescriptions would be a disaster for tens of thousands of people who may face a new barrier to accessing their vital medicines.”
Raising the exemption age would hit those with multiple medications hardest, she warned.
Ms Cockram added: “Far from saving the NHS money, this proposal is likely to cost more and do lasting damage to the nation’s health.
“The proposal risks more people choosing between which medicine they can afford, or which bills they can pay.”
Thorrun Govind, chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s English Pharmacy Board, said raising the qualifying age for free prescriptions during a pandemic could severely affect older people in England.
She added: “If you can’t afford your medicines, you become more ill,
which leads to poor health and expensive and unnecessary hospital admissions.” Ms Govind said patients on low incomes already ask pharmacists which pills they could “do without” as they try to ration medicines.
She added: “In Britain in the 21st century, no one should be faced with a financial barrier to getting the medicines they need.”
Dr Eva Kalmus, co-chair of the British Geriatrics Society GeriGPs Group, warned the move could cost the NHS more in the long term “when complications or disease progression occur which medication might have prevented”.
Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams called it a “kick in the teeth”, both for poorly older people and the NHS.
She said the principle of free prescriptions for the rest of the UK should be extended to England.
Some 58 per cent of
over-60s have a long-term health condition and that figure is higher in deprived groups.
Among those aged between 60 and 65, who will be affected by the proposals, 3.54 million rely on NHS prescriptions.
Of these, roughly half do not have to pay either because they have a medical exemption or they are on a low income or benefits. They would continue to get free prescriptions under the new proposals. However, many lower and middle earners would find the charge a major burden, especially as the cost of living skyrockets. Former pensions minister Steve Webb, now a partner at consultants LCP, said many of those affected have “no idea” they could be affected by this “cruel change”.
He added: “It is one thing to change the rules for the future so those currently under 60 may have to wait longer to get free prescriptions,
but quite another to take away this help from those already benefiting.”.
Although the Government has yet to announce a decision, there is speculation that the change could come into force from April 1, which is traditionally the date that NHS prescription charges increase.
In April last year, the charge
increased by 20p, from £9.15 to £9.35, a rise of 2.1 per cent, broadly in line with inflation.
This year the increase could be even higher as inflation rockets thanks to higher petrol, fuel and food prices.
It would be a double blow if people aged 60 to 65 had to start paying for prescriptions that were previously free at the same time.
Over the past 10 years, the cost of prescriptions has risen by 26.4 per cent, an increase of £1.95 per item, according to a report by Chemist4U.
Those with serious conditions can limit the total cost by purchasing a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC), which costs £108.10 for a year of “free” prescriptions.
However, this may also rise with inflation and the total cost could top £600 if the age for automatic free prescriptions is lifted to 66.
The Government’s consultation acknowledged that “people may not take their prescribed medicines due to cost”, adding to the burden on GPs, hospital A&Es and social care.
If it presses ahead, it will either raise the age for free prescriptions to 66
with immediate effect, or introduce a grace period, where those who are aged between 60 and 65 when the change is made will continue to get free prescriptions.
The Government’s consultation on the changes closed on September 3 last year.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Around 90 per cent of community prescription items in England are free of charge.
Consulted
“People don’t pay if they are on a low income, over 60, or have certain medical conditions.
“The upper age exemption has not changed since 1995 and that is why we have consulted on restoring the link between this and the state pension age.
“We are considering the responses carefully and will respond in due course.”
Prescription charges in England raised £576million in 2018/19, equivalent to just 0.5 per cent of the total NHS budget.