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Original poster

So, should NHS prescriptions be free in England?

17 replies

msrisotto · 01/04/2011 17:50

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12928485
Surprised there isn't a thread already about this as England are now the only country in the UK to pay for their prescriptions. Well, I know there are exemptions but as opposed to a blanket exemption! We now have to pay £7.40 per prescription.

I think it is an interesting move in difficult financial times for Scotland to remove their charges, could England afford to do the same? I'm guessing not as the price has just gone up, how come they can then?

OP posts:
Original poster
msrisotto · 01/04/2011 18:18
OP posts:
thekidsrule · 01/04/2011 18:20

i think everybody in the UK should get free perscriptions and im speaking as somebody that does,so no motive here

how comes scotland and wales do and some univesity fees i believe and poor old uk dosent

though have no idea how this would be funded

Original poster
msrisotto · 01/04/2011 18:30

Scotland and Wales are part of the UK.

I don't actually think everyone should get free prescriptions. There are exemptions for those in need but those who can afford it, should and IMO that includes the rest of the UK.

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PixieOnaLeaf · 01/04/2011 18:32

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Lucyinthepie · 01/04/2011 18:32

I think everyone in the UK should be treated the same. I vaguely heard something on LBC today about only two NHS areas in the UK running at a profit? Not sure if I've got that right because I was a bit distracted, but the upshot is that Scotland and Wales make a loss and still give free prescriptions.

I went through a horrendous time once when I was almost destitute, but couldn't claim benefit so couldn't get free prescriptions. I let my asthma medication lapse because I felt the money was needed for food and was so skint I had to make a choice.

Original poster
msrisotto · 01/04/2011 19:09

Well 90% of prescriptions are given out free of charge. I don't know the ins and outs of how they calculate these things but it works in theory - those who can afford to pay, should, regardless of where they live tbh.

Anyway, I don't like postcode lotteries so feel that either everywhere has it free or everywhere has to pay (if they as individuals can afford it).

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dreamingofsun · 01/04/2011 19:14

in theory the NHS should be free, so yes everyone ought to get free perscriptions. Bearing in mind the dire financial circumstances the country is in i can see the logic of all the better off people paying a contribution - but they should do that in all the UK countries, and not just england which is totally unfair. i say that as someone who receives very little for free.

what is even worse, though is the university tuition fees situation, which means that english students will pay 6k per year more than the rest of the uk and also europe and leave our children with vast amounts of debt - in excess of 50 for many years after they graduate

LynetteScavo · 01/04/2011 19:15

I think England, scotland and Wales should have the same system. I think the way it works in England is just fine.

PixieOnaLeaf, have you calculated how much your DD's prescriptions would cost if they weren't on the NHS?

Original poster
msrisotto · 01/04/2011 22:57

Either way, it's not going to do much for internal relations within the UK is it.

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AimingForSerenity · 01/04/2011 23:05

Not everyone who gets free prescriptions actually needs them, what about wealthy pensioners? Just because someone is over 60 does not mean they are poor.

The drawback to free prescriptions is that people often do not value stuff they get free so, oddly, are less likely to take a free medicine properly than one they pay for so it could be opening up a whole new can of worms if everything were free. Often when people die big hoards of expensive, untaken medicines are found.

I wonder if the solution is for everyone to pay a nominal amount like 50p per item regarless of age, health, etc

Northernlurker · 01/04/2011 23:06

I don't think the NHS can afford free prescriptions for all without painful cuts elsewhere. Patients with chronic illness should get them free or pay only an annual token amount though. Some do but as Pixie points out some don't and they should. I don't need to get free antiobiotics or whatnot though.

AimingForSerenity · 02/04/2011 00:21

If you are on regular medication and not eligable for free prescriptions you can buy a prepayment certificate which costs abpout £110/year, so less than £10 per month which you can bet costs less than the drugs!

The big problem really is that somebody needs to review the whole exemption and charging system and no government will ever have the political will to do it as they will not risk the ensuing unpopularity.

LindyHemming · 02/04/2011 10:06

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cookcleanerchaufferetc · 03/04/2011 09:18

They should free ..... It is very unfair that England should pay when the rest of the UK don't. England seem to be getting screwed again .....

Panzee · 03/04/2011 09:19

But 90% of them are free. And it will cost billions.

StewieGriffinsMom · 03/04/2011 09:23

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ilovecrisps · 05/04/2011 01:45

tis terribly unfair

eg cystic fibrosis often loads of prescriptions which you end up paying for unless you get Diabetes when it all becomes free

well controlled stable hypothyroidism all free every little tube of canestan/antibiotics for life even if you earn over 100k

uni fees are terribly unfair
I'm waiting for someone to tell me my plan of buying some tiny cheap Scottish ghetto and using that as our address wont work!!! Wink

not wanting to put down eye checks but surely there are better ways of improving the health of the Scottish nation?!!

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