Pharmacists are sounding the alarm as the cost of NHS prescriptions is set to rise to nearly £10 starting tomorrow. The hike, from £9.65 to £9.90, has been labelled by pharmacists as a “tax on the working poor,” raising concerns that patients may be forced to forgo essential medications due to the increased price.
The rise in prescription charges comes amidst new data revealing the significant role of pharmacies in alleviating pressure on general practitioners (GPs). According to figures from the Company Chemists’ Association, large high-street chemists have successfully treated nine out of ten patients who sought care under the new NHS Pharmacy First Scheme. Since its launch two months ago, more than 90,000 consultations have been conducted by member pharmacies, with 88 percent of patients eligible for NHS-funded care through the service. This has effectively freed up appointments with GPs for individuals with more serious health conditions.
Starting from tomorrow, patients in England will need to pay an extra 25p to collect their medication from a pharmacy. Additionally, the 12-month NHS prescription prepayment certificate, which covers all NHS prescriptions for a fixed price, will increase from £111.60 to £114.50.
While prescriptions remain free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the prescription charge hike in England has sparked criticism from healthcare professionals and advocacy groups. Tase Oputu, chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England, condemned the increase as burdensome for patients, particularly those on low incomes, amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Oputu emphasized that no one should face financial barriers to accessing necessary medications and called for the abolition of prescription charges in England.
Similarly, Nick Kaye, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, denounced the rise in prescription charges as neglectful, especially for working people on low incomes who are not exempt. Kaye warned that the increased cost could lead individuals to skip collecting their prescribed medicines, potentially resulting in adverse health outcomes.
Advocates from the Prescription Charges Coalition have called for an urgent review of the exemption list for prescription charges, which they argue has remained largely unchanged for the past 50 years. The coalition highlighted the exclusion of many life-altering conditions from the exemption list, such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and asthma, underscoring the need for a more inclusive approach to healthcare access.
As the healthcare landscape evolves, with pharmacies playing an increasingly significant role in patient care, stakeholders are urging the government to reconsider the impact of rising prescription charges on individuals’ health and well-being. The NHS Pharmacy First Scheme, while promising, has also raised concerns among smaller pharmacy firms, who warn of the strain it places on their resources and funding.
With tomorrow marking the implementation of the prescription charge increase, patients and healthcare professionals alike are bracing for its implications, calling for a reevaluation of policies to ensure equitable access to essential medications for all.
