The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7392 p307
18 March 2006

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Prescription charges in England to increase

Prescription charges in England are to rise by 15p, slightly below inflation, to £6.65 on 1 April. At the same time, the cost of prepayment certificates will rise to £34.65 for four months and £95.30 for a year.

Prescription charges are expected to raise £430m for the NHS in England in 2006–07.

President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Hemant Patel said: “While it is pleasing to see that the Government has held the increase below the current rate of inflation, it remains a fact that the current charging system is inconsistent with the Government’s stated policy of equal access for all to health care services.”

Wales is continuing to move towards abolishing prescription charges completely, with the price falling by £1 to £3 on 1 April.

No decision on Scottish prescription charges had been announced when The Journal went to press.