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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| NI to scrap prescription charges | NI to scrap prescription charges |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Plans to abolish prescription charges in Northern Ireland have been announced by NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. | Plans to abolish prescription charges in Northern Ireland have been announced by NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. |
| The cost of a prescription in NI will be reduced to £3 per prescription in January 2009 and will be free of charge by April 2010. | The cost of a prescription in NI will be reduced to £3 per prescription in January 2009 and will be free of charge by April 2010. |
| The charges were abolished in Wales on 1 April 2007 and are due to be abolished in Scotland. | The charges were abolished in Wales on 1 April 2007 and are due to be abolished in Scotland. |
| This leaves England as the only country in the UK to retain the charges. | This leaves England as the only country in the UK to retain the charges. |
| Mr McGimpsey said prepayment certificates would come down in price, from £35.85 to £9 for four months and from £98.70 to £25 for 12 months until prescriptions are free. | Mr McGimpsey said prepayment certificates would come down in price, from £35.85 to £9 for four months and from £98.70 to £25 for 12 months until prescriptions are free. |
| Speaking at the Cancer Centre in Belfast City Hospital on Monday, Mr McGimpsey said free prescriptions would be introduced, subject to the agreement of the Executive. | Speaking at the Cancer Centre in Belfast City Hospital on Monday, Mr McGimpsey said free prescriptions would be introduced, subject to the agreement of the Executive. |
| The UUP minister established a cost and benefits review into the abolition of prescription charging last year. | The UUP minister established a cost and benefits review into the abolition of prescription charging last year. |
| Impact | Impact |
| He said that in reaching his decision he had to "carefully consider the consequences of any change to the current charging regime in Northern Ireland". | He said that in reaching his decision he had to "carefully consider the consequences of any change to the current charging regime in Northern Ireland". |
| "A key consideration for me was the loss of around £13m income each year from prescription charges, and while it is only 3.5% of the total drugs bill, it is still a lot of money," he said. | "A key consideration for me was the loss of around £13m income each year from prescription charges, and while it is only 3.5% of the total drugs bill, it is still a lot of money," he said. |
| "After looking closely at the financial position with my officials, I have concluded that the cost of free prescriptions can be found within my existing budget and without impacting on any existing service." | "After looking closely at the financial position with my officials, I have concluded that the cost of free prescriptions can be found within my existing budget and without impacting on any existing service." |
| Iris Robinson, DUP, chair of the Health Committee, welcomed the news. | Iris Robinson, DUP, chair of the Health Committee, welcomed the news. |
| She said she was disappointed that charges for drugs used in cancer treatment were not being abolished immediately. | She said she was disappointed that charges for drugs used in cancer treatment were not being abolished immediately. |
| Mrs Robinson urged the Executive to consider this, as soon as possible. | Mrs Robinson urged the Executive to consider this, as soon as possible. |
| All those patients who have found it very hard over the years to pay for their medication will welcome it Dr Brian Dunn, BMANI | |
| Sinn Féin health spokesperson Michelle O'Neill said: "As we stand many people on low incomes, including cancer sufferers, were forced to choose between what medicines they could actually afford to get on prescription. | |
| "This obviously had a very adverse affect on the ability to treat illnesses." | |
| The SDLP's Carmel Hanna also welcomed Mr McGimpsey's proposal. | |
| "I believe this announcement to abolish prescription charges for all patients, regardless of their illness or background, is a major step in ensuring people receive the necessary care and treatment at their time of need," she said. | |
| Dr Brian Dunn of the British Medical Association (BMA) Northern Ireland said: "This is a very positive step forward and all those patients who have found it very hard over the years to pay for their medication will welcome it - as does the BMA." | Dr Brian Dunn of the British Medical Association (BMA) Northern Ireland said: "This is a very positive step forward and all those patients who have found it very hard over the years to pay for their medication will welcome it - as does the BMA." |
| Heather Monteverde of Macmillan Cancer Support said: "Cancer patients in Northern Ireland have been struggling to pay these unfair charges for too long and it is fantastic news." | Heather Monteverde of Macmillan Cancer Support said: "Cancer patients in Northern Ireland have been struggling to pay these unfair charges for too long and it is fantastic news." |