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| Call for free NHS prescriptions | Call for free NHS prescriptions |
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| Free prescriptions should be introduced in England as thousands of people are not collecting medicines because of cost, Citizens Advice has said. | Free prescriptions should be introduced in England as thousands of people are not collecting medicines because of cost, Citizens Advice has said. |
| It follows a poll of 880 people which found 2% were put off by the price - a total of 800,000 if the proportion were repeated across the whole of England. | It follows a poll of 880 people which found 2% were put off by the price - a total of 800,000 if the proportion were repeated across the whole of England. |
| Wales has already introduced free prescriptions while Scotland has promised to follow suit. | Wales has already introduced free prescriptions while Scotland has promised to follow suit. |
| But ministers in England are still refusing to drop the £6.85 charge. | But ministers in England are still refusing to drop the £6.85 charge. |
| Prescription charges can seriously damage your health David Harker, of Citizens Advice | Prescription charges can seriously damage your health David Harker, of Citizens Advice |
| Citizens Advice said the poll, carried out for it by Mori, showed there was an urgent need for the government to review prescription charging. | Citizens Advice said the poll, carried out for it by Mori, showed there was an urgent need for the government to review prescription charging. |
| The organisation's chief executive David Harker said: "It is unacceptable that people are still failing to collect prescriptions because they can't afford it. | The organisation's chief executive David Harker said: "It is unacceptable that people are still failing to collect prescriptions because they can't afford it. |
| "Evidence from our bureaux shows that prescription charges can seriously damage your health and the impact is felt most severely by people on low incomes and with long-term health problems. | "Evidence from our bureaux shows that prescription charges can seriously damage your health and the impact is felt most severely by people on low incomes and with long-term health problems. |
| "We are urging the government to review the issue of prescription charging as a matter of urgency to address the issue of prescription poverty in England. | "We are urging the government to review the issue of prescription charging as a matter of urgency to address the issue of prescription poverty in England. |
| "The progress in Wales and Scotland shows there is a strong case for abolishing prescription charges in England altogether." | "The progress in Wales and Scotland shows there is a strong case for abolishing prescription charges in England altogether." |
| Free | Free |
| HAVE YOUR SAYPrescription charges are, in effect, a stealth tax on the sickJames Uscroft, HanleySend us your comments | |
| But the government said free prescriptions would not be introduced in England. | But the government said free prescriptions would not be introduced in England. |
| Ministers are planning to launch a consultation in the near future, but this will only be looking at "cost-neutral" ways of tweaking the system. | Ministers are planning to launch a consultation in the near future, but this will only be looking at "cost-neutral" ways of tweaking the system. |
| At the moment children and those on low incomes are exempt from payment. People needing regular prescriptions are also entitled to apply for a pre-payment scheme which means they can get unlimited prescriptions for under £2 a week. | At the moment children and those on low incomes are exempt from payment. People needing regular prescriptions are also entitled to apply for a pre-payment scheme which means they can get unlimited prescriptions for under £2 a week. |
| The government said the system meant that just one in 10 prescription items were charged at the full price. | The government said the system meant that just one in 10 prescription items were charged at the full price. |
| A Department of Health spokeswoman added: "Prescription charges provide a valuable contribution to the NHS in England, estimated to be £430m for 2006-7. | A Department of Health spokeswoman added: "Prescription charges provide a valuable contribution to the NHS in England, estimated to be £430m for 2006-7. |
| "Abolishing them would significantly reduce the money available to deliver other health priorities." | "Abolishing them would significantly reduce the money available to deliver other health priorities." |