The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7414 p211
19 August 2006

This article
Reprint   Photocopy

  Acrobat Reader

News summary

Scottish charge consultation responses published online

Calls for an overhaul of NHS prescription charges have been made in Scotland. The views are expressed in responses to the Scottish Executive's review of the charging system. However, what action the Scottish Executive will take remains to be seen.

Responses to the consultation (PJ, 4 February, p125) are now published online. They include the opinions of NHS boards, medical bodies, pharmacy bodies, academic institutions, patient groups and individuals. Many respondents criticise the current system of medical exemptions as unfair but few want an abolition of charges.

Support for change comes from, among others, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Scottish Department (PDF 40K), the Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, the British Medical Association Scotland and the Royal College of Nursing Scotland.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive told The Journal that its response would be published in due course but she was unable to give a specific date.