The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7358 p72
16 July 2005

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New forms to combat Welsh “prescription tourism”

Reduced prescription charges in Wales will soon only apply to patients presenting with new bilingual Welsh prescriptions issued by Welsh practices, it was announced this week.

Brian Gibbons, health minister for Wales, said: “The measures will overcome concerns raised that the reduced prescription charges in Wales could attract ‘health tourists’ from outside Wales, coming to benefit from the lower charges.”

He added that although there is little evidence of prescription tourism to date, the risks will increase when prescription charges in Wales fall to £3 in April 2006.

The new regulations will come into effect on 1 August.