02.04.12
Prescription charges increase
The NHS prescription fee increase has come into effect, with a rise of 25p to £7.65 in England. The changes were outlined earlier this year.
The Government says that the variety of exemptions available mean 90% of prescription items are dispended for free.
Further increases apply to hospital-supplied elastic stockings and tights, wigs and fabric supports and a 2.5% rise in glasses for children, people on low incomes or with complex sight problems.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for the charges to be scrapped and for prescriptions to be provided for free, as they are inScotland,IrelandandWales. Prescription charges provide the NHS with an annual income of £450m, which Government suggests is necessary to maintain vital services.
InEngland, the cost of a prepaid prescription payment certificate (PPC), which is valid for three months, will remain at £29.10, while the price of an annual PPC will be held at £104. These certificates allow people who have a lot of prescriptions to save money by paying a lump sum in advance for a set number of items.
The dental charge payable for a basic ‘band 1’ course of treatment – examination, diagnosis and advice, including X-rays, a scale and polish and planning for further work if necessary – will rise 50p to £17.50. Band 2 charges, covering fillings, root canal treatment and extractions, will rise by £1 to £48. For band 3 work, such as crowns, dentures and bridges, the cost will increase by £5 to £209.
Neal Patel, from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, told the BBC: “The prescription charge system at the moment seems to penalise people that have certain long-term conditions, but not others.
“It is perhaps a false economy to think if we don’t take these medicines there is a reduced cost to that patient. But, longer term, they may end up in hospital and cost the NHS more.”
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