The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7202 p826
15 June 2002

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Time to tackle prescription charges [more]
Shaping the Council's future [more]

Time to tackle prescription charges

Nobody could possibly believe that the system used to determine which patients pay for their prescriptions and which groups are exempt from charges is fair. The roots of the system go back to the days when few medicines were available to treat chronic conditions and diseases. Complaints were also made by the Pharmaceutical Society in 1968 that the exemption categories were drawn up without any input from pharmacists.

Now, although the range of available medicines has increased dramatically, the list of chronic diseases covered has remained more or less static. Some patients are exempt on grounds of age; others, by their lack of means. In addition, how can patients understand the rules governing when some prescription charges are payable and when multiple charges are payable under Section 9 of the Drug Tariff?

On 19 June the Liberal Democrats have secured time for a debate in the House of Commons under the 10-minute rule bill addressing the whole issue (p832). They are joined by a number of voluntary organisations and patient groups in demanding that the Government takes some action.

Although the Society does not explicitly ally itself to campaigns organised by political parties, there is no doubt that it has over the years campaigned for an overhaul of the system, mainly because the system is so anachronistic. What is more surprising is the acknowledgement by the Government that the system is a complete mess, but it is not prepared to do anything about it (p833). This is unacceptable. Although the vast majority of patients who cannot afford to pay for prescriptions do not, there are many others who are on low incomes but not exempt who struggle to pay for prescriptions, either individually, or under the pre-payment scheme.

It must be hoped that the widespread support for a radical overhaul of the system will no longer continue to fall on deaf Government ears and that the political will (and money) be found to do something about .

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Shaping the Council's future

This week's issue carries a four-page document (PDF*, 165K) looking at the reform of the Council as part of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's modernisation programme. The proposals, which have been put forward by the modernisation steering group, are open to widespread discussion. Another paper will be published next week, and your views canvassed actively with a questionnaire in the issue of 29 June. The Journal welcomes further contributions to the debate over the next three weeks. Do not miss this chance to shape the future of the Council.

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