Most GPs in Wales oppose free NHS prescriptions
Most GPs in Wales think that NHS prescriptions should not be free of charge to the user, according to a Liberal Democrat survey launched on the first anniversary of the removal of prescription charges. In
response to the findings, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have echoed a
call by Welsh Conservatives for a review of the Welsh Assembly’s
policy on NHS prescription charges.
Jenny Randerson, Welsh Liberal Democrat health spokesman, asked 133 GPs
how free prescriptions had affected their workload. Over half (57 per
cent) said that patients had asked for more prescriptions since the removal
of charges on 1 April 2007. Most GPs also thought that the nature of
the prescriptions had changed and 62 per cent said they believed that
prescriptions should not remain at zero cost to the user, Ms Randerson
found.
Welsh Conservatives believe that prescription numbers have increased
more than they should have done because of the charges and that money
is being wasted that could better be spent on more worthwhile treatments.
Welsh Assembly shadow health minister Jonathan Morgan (Con, Cardiff North)
said that medicines wastage — a key issue raised by pharmacists
before charges were abolished — also needed to be addressed.
The number of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists in Wales
rose by 5.4 per cent in 2007 (from 58.9 million in 2006 to 62.1 million).
In comparison, in England the number rose by 5.9 per cent 2006 to 2007.
On 1 April 2008, the prescription charge in Scotland fell to £5.
In England it rose to £7.10.
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