The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7235 p177
8 February 2003

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National Assembly for Wales (more)

Welsh Assembly considers wider prescription charge exemptions

The National Assembly for Wales is to consider extending exemption from paying prescription charges to all patients with chronic life-long illnesses.

Health Minister Jane Hutt is to set up a major review of how the chronically ill are treated with regard to prescriptions following an initiative by Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Kirsty Williams, chairwoman of the health committee. Ms Hutt's group will examine who should be exempt and to what extent.

In a private member's bill approved on 4 February, Ms Williams demanded that everyone suffering from a chronic life-long condition requiring regular medication should be exempt from charges. The assembly has already extended the age limits for free prescriptions, in addition to freezing charges. Ms Williams estimated that her changes would cost £20m a year.

But Dr Brian Gibbons (Lab, Aberavon), a general practitioner, while agreeing that "the present system is clearly chaotic", pointed to flaws in the bill. He asked whether sufferers from high blood pressure, which is permanent, would be included, and whether those with cancer, which can be cured, would be excluded. And should they get all their prescriptions free, as under the restricted categories listed in the 1968 regulations currently operating?
— Contributed.