Pharmacy Voice disappointed with planned increase in prescription charges for England

Pharmacy Voice is disappointed with today’s announcement that the cost of an NHS prescription in England will rise 25p to £7.65 from April 1st. 

The changes, which were outlined in a written statement to Parliament by Health Minister Simon Burns will be made in regulations laid before Parliament shortly.

Ian Facer, Chairman of Pharmacy Voice and a practising pharmacist said:

“We are disappointed with the increase; prescription charges deter many people from getting medicines which their doctor prescribes. Patients on low incomes who do not qualify for exemption suffer the most. I often see patients who have to make the decision of what medicine they can take based on their finances.

“From a pharmacist’s point of view, processing prescription levies is part of the job that adds workload but no patient benefit. Pharmacists, like other health care professionals, experience great pressures on their time and any release of time could be used to enhance patient care.”

Last year, Scotland joined Wales and Northern Ireland in removing the charge for medicines, leaving England the only part of the United Kingdom where patients have to pay for prescriptions.

The cost of a prescription payment certificate (PPC) valid for three months will remain at £29.10 and the price of an annual PPC will be held at £104.

For further information, please contact the National Pharmacy Association Press Office on 01727 795901 or 07920 203051, or email communications@npa.co.uk.

The members of Pharmacy Voice are the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp), the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).