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Prescription charges drop to £5 | Prescription charges drop to £5 |
(1 day later) | |
The cost of NHS prescriptions in Scotland has been cut by almost £2. | The cost of NHS prescriptions in Scotland has been cut by almost £2. |
The reduction, from £6.85 to £5, is the first of several price drops, which will result in free prescriptions for all in 2011. | The reduction, from £6.85 to £5, is the first of several price drops, which will result in free prescriptions for all in 2011. |
Last December, the Scottish Government announced it would set aside £97m to abolish prescription charges. | Last December, the Scottish Government announced it would set aside £97m to abolish prescription charges. |
Once the charges have gone, the policy is expected to cost £57m a year. More than 90% of prescriptions are already dispensed for free. | Once the charges have gone, the policy is expected to cost £57m a year. More than 90% of prescriptions are already dispensed for free. |
In December, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs the prescription charges were a "tax on ill health". | In December, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs the prescription charges were a "tax on ill health". |
Labour expressed reservations about the move. | Labour expressed reservations about the move. |
There will be further £1 cuts for the next two years before the final abolition of the charge in Scotland. | There will be further £1 cuts for the next two years before the final abolition of the charge in Scotland. |
Prescriptions became free in Wales last year. | Prescriptions became free in Wales last year. |
'Competing priorities' | |
The SNP manifesto at last year's Scottish Parliament elections promised to "immediately abolish" prescription charges for people with chronic conditions, cancer and for those in full-time education or training. | The SNP manifesto at last year's Scottish Parliament elections promised to "immediately abolish" prescription charges for people with chronic conditions, cancer and for those in full-time education or training. |
The cost of pre-payment certificates will also be cut over the same timescale as prescription charges, coming down at first from £98.70 to £48, then down to £38 and finally £28, before they are ended. | The cost of pre-payment certificates will also be cut over the same timescale as prescription charges, coming down at first from £98.70 to £48, then down to £38 and finally £28, before they are ended. |
Under current exemption rules, about half the population qualifies for free prescriptions and about 92% of items dispensed in Scotland are given to patients free of charge. | Under current exemption rules, about half the population qualifies for free prescriptions and about 92% of items dispensed in Scotland are given to patients free of charge. |
Ms Sturgeon said: "That this is all taking place less than a year after the new Scottish Government came to power underlines the fast pace of delivery and the fact that this is a government of action." | |
Conservative health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said the reduction in the cost of the pre-payment certificate would improve healthcare and lead to better patient compliance. | |
However, she added: "We do have an issue with supporting free prescriptions for people who can afford to pay. | |
"As we all know there are many competing priorities for the allocation of resources in the NHS and we would question the giving of free prescriptions to all." |
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