The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7308 p76
17 July 2004

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Caution urged in abolishing prescription charges

The system of prescription charging is illogical and unfair but a move to a more equitable system requires careful planning, according to the Scottish Department of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Angela Timoney, chairman of the Scottish Department, said changes could increase pharmacy workloads, undermine the “direct supply of medicines” scheme and threaten POM-to-P switches.

She said: “Abolition or major structural change to the current system of prescription charges and exemptions could destabilise general practice and community pharmacy at a time of acute workforce shortages and rapidly increasing workloads.”

The Society’s Council called for an overhaul of prescription charges at its June meeting (PJ, 26 June, p822).