The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7445 p360
31 March 2007

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MURs will help make best use of free scripts

Pharmacists in Wales can help patients make the best use of free prescriptions by offering medicines use reviews, says Community Pharmacy Wales. Speaking to The Journal, Peter Haydn Jones, chief executive of CPW, said: “What is important is that contractors embrace the MUR service to ensure medicines are being put to best use by patients, particularly as prescriptions become free of charge to all patients in Wales from 1 April.”

Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan stressed that free prescriptions could lead to cost reductions as a result of savings in hospital care. “Many people are deterred from taking regular medication that would help them live healthier lives because of the cost of paying for regular prescriptions,” he said. “If patients cannot afford the medicines they need to treat their condition, the long-term costs to the NHS could be far greater in terms of avoidable hospital treatment.”

National Assembly for Wales statistics issued this week reveal that the number of prescriptions dispensed in the community increased from 56.6 million in 2005 to 58.9 million in 2006. However, the net ingredient cost per item decreased by 15p to £9.74.