Phasing out of prescription charges by 2011 welcomed in Scotland
Scottish pharmacy organisations have responded positively to last week’s announcement that NHS prescriptions charges will be phased
out in Scotland by 2011 (PJ, 8 December, p635).
In a statement, Community Pharmacy Scotland said: “We believe the
planned approach of phasing, over three years, reductions to the cost
of the pre-payment certificates will greatly help many people with chronic
conditions. Similarly, the phased approach to the reduction in the cost
of single prescriptions will be helpful in ensuring a smooth period of
transition towards complete abolition in 2011.”
CPS has started discussions with the Scottish Government over how to
minimise any additional administration that might fall to pharmacists
during the transition to free prescriptions. The organisation commented
that expanding the list of exempt conditions — an option that had
been considered instead of abolishing charges — would have been
overly complex and bureaucratic to administer and deliver.
The Scottish Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society said
it “welcomed the removal of financial barriers to achieving good
health and reducing health inequalities”.
Rose Marie Parr, the board’s chairman, commented: “The profession
is keen to work with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to
minimise any impact on GP and community pharmacy services while ensuring
that medicines and appliances are used safely and are valued by the public.”
Both organisations pledged to work with the Scottish Government to consider
the impact
of abolishing prescription charges on the Scottish minor ailment
service. The Government has previously stated its commitment to the service
(PJ, 1 December 2007, p610).
This week, Alison Strath, principal pharmaceutical officer, Scottish
Government, said: “The national minor ailment service is greatly
valued by both patients and the wider NHS family. The abolition of prescription
charges presents an opportunity to consider how the founding principles
of the service may be applied in the wider context of ‘Better health,
better care’ [the Government’s health action plan].”
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