The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7374 p564
5 November 2005

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Prescription charges should be retained but reformed

NHS prescription charges should remain in place but the current charging system needs an overhaul. This is the message that representatives of pharmacy organisations gave the Scottish Parliament's health committee this week.

The hearing formed part of the health committee’s consideration of a Bill that proposes to abolish NHS prescription charges. The Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament earlier this year (PJ, 7 May, p536).

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, James Semple, chairman of the Scottish Pharmaceutical Federation, pointed out: “Nobody needs to spend more than £8 per month on prescriptions [the cost of a prepayment certificate].”

Mr Semple told The Journal that the SPF reluctantly supports prescription charges with the proviso that the current charging system is illogical. Charging for prescriptions prevents frivolous use of NHS resources, he explained.

“But we would like to make the existing system of prepayment certificates easier for patients, perhaps by introducing direct debit payments,” he commented.

Also giving evidence was Scott Bryson, pharmaceutical adviser for NHS Greater Glasgow. “We support reform of prescription charges but we do not support complete abolition at this time,” he said. Instead, he wants to see a phased modification of the exemption categories, a more flexible approach towards prepayment certificates and increased public awareness about prepayment options.

Alison MacRobbie, palliative and community care pharmacist, Highland Area Pharmaceutical Committee and Scottish Palliative Care Pharmacists’ Association, recommended a review of the current system.

“The current system is unfair and there are categories of people who we believe should receive free medicines. But this could have a significant impact on community pharmacy and that needs to be considered,” she said.

Angela Timoney, chairman of the Scottish Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, told the committee that it faced a difficult decision.

“The Society has conducted a wide review of prescription charges and concluded that it is a very complex system with no simple solution,” she said. “Whatever changes are made, there will be consequences which need to be effectively addressed.”