The provision of free prescriptions in Wales has been praised by Caerphilly AM Hefin David and Merthyr Tydfil AM Dawn Bowden.
It has been ten years since prescription charges were scrapped by the Welsh Government.
Ms Bowden said: “I am proud that people across Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney have not had to face the increasing prescription charges we gave seen in England over the past ten years, thanks to the actions of our Welsh Labour Government
“Prescriptions currently cost £8.40 per item, which is a major burden for people with long term conditions in particular.”
Dr David added: “Prescription charges are a tax on illness and are completely unfair.”
The Welsh Conservatives have recently called for the introduction of charges for those who can afford to pay.
it is estimated that this is costing taxpayers £40million a year, and since the introduction of free prescriptions Wales has become more dependent on prescriptions than any other part of the UK, surely no coincidence. Since 2010 Welsh Labour has imposed massive cuts to the NHS – and they try to blame Westminster. These free to all prescriptions must stop, those who can afford to pay should pay, make the charge £5 to those who can pay and cap the maximum for long term prescriptions to £100 per year. Welsh Labour try to spin free prescriptions as a good thing, but when you cut through the fancy wrapping it’s costing way too much on a Welsh NHS that Labour has already cut to the bone.
The amount of national insurance we pay should cover the cost and perscriptions should be free for all,however certain medications that can be bought cheaper over the counter should be excluded from thr free petscriptions such as parcetamol etc. I also feel that Doctors dont help either. I will use myself as an example i need a regualer perscription so the i get a large tube which can last me 2 and a bit months but because i dont order it every month thy have taken it off my repeat and i have to go back to see thr doctor. It seems the more careful you are the worst off you will be. They want to save money but are willing for you to waste it on stock piling medication at home you dont need.
A very good point, well made. Your example of the inhaler shows how wasteful the current arrangement is. The needless visit to the surgery wastes the doctor’s time, wastes your time and costs both you and the health service money.
Far better if you and the doctor could together assess your needs and base the repeat prescription on this. It is bizarre that Health Board procedure is encouraging you and probably thousands of others to take medicines home that are not required and will end up being destroyed.
Free prescriptions should cover “prescription only “items ( items that can only be obtained by a GP prescribing ).
All items that can be purchased over the counter should be excluded from the prescribing list.
This move in itself would save hundreds of tnousands of pounds and free up GP appointments.