Drop prescription charge, says BMA

[Mudskipper]

Well if you read what the BMA say, it makes the most sense to scrap charges altogether.

The Government so far are staying stubbornly with their line of 'the revenue from them is important for the NHS', despite it being pointed out that free prescriptions for all would mean less strain on the NHS from when people can't afford them.

Do you think they'll listen to the advice and make a change?

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7925167.stm
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[hellkat]

They're being a bit selective about it at present. It was recently changed so that cancer patients didn't have to pay any, any more.

Public pressure (oh, the, erm, famously quoted "Court of Public Opinion") - ought to do it, that ought to force them to change ... yeah, right.

It would be good if they actually did do something right for a change, but .. how much would it harm the increasingly wobbly economy? Quite a lot I think, considering the amount of blaggers of sickness benefit (both indigenous AND immigrant, I hasten to add) who are currently citing their rights (!! there's that word again !!) to free prescriptions.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Graprilia]

[pa_broon74]

I reckon those that can afford to should pay and those that can't should be able to get them for a much lower charge.

One of the side effects of charging is it keeps down profligate waste. My gran for example is a total hypochondriac. The merest twinge and off she'd beetle to the doctors for some pills.

They talked about this last night on Question Time. Its another one of those things, popular opinion is one thing but the 400 million quid it would cost needs to be found elsewhere.

It should be more equitable for sure, the current system is out dated.

I get the impression that English voters want it more because we're getting it North of the border, not necessarily because they think the current system is unfair.

FYI #1, its not coming in North of the border until 2011 so it might never happen. FYI #2; my mum has parkinsons so takes a fair few pills. She has a card which she buys annually for (I think) around £65. This saves her a ton of money but most folk don't know they exist.


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Didn't catch anything.

[Mudskipper]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Wonder what the collection costs are of the money for prescriptions. Suspect that in reality the charge barely covers the administration of that charge.

The issue of hypochondriacs is a legitimate one. But the doctors time that they waste is far more expensive.

There is also the issue that if anyone decides to do without a needed medicine due to cost and so lands up off sick then the cost to the country is far higher (eg, to save £5 prescription charge you are risking someone having several weeks off sick and producing nothing, or risking a hospital admission, both of which would wipe out the money taken for loads of prescriptions).

All the best

Keith
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[Robby]

The current system is a spot irritating for me.

I have a monthly prescription. It isn't worth me buying an annual card at around £100, and yet I can't get a two or three month prescription either.

I'll probably be even less likely to get a long prescription of the stuff since young Ste took his 6 month's worth in a day.

[Marcg868]

I find it quite irritating that the lazy population who can't be arsed to get off their backsides and get a job (not the ones who are seeking work but haven't got a job) are entitled to free prescriptions. Now people like myself who are Hypertensive for example, which i must add is not life threatening, but can lead to problems if medication is not used to treat it. I don't think i should be robbed of £45 a year for this reason.

Tried to come off the tablets but my blood pressure shoots up when i don't take them.

It should be an equal system, we all pay (with the exception of people on medical exemption, like diabetics, thyroid problems etc who maybe on 3/4 different medications that they need to keep them ticking over) or none of us pay.

Rattles me to the bone, people on benefits, they'll happily piss their money away on 12 cans of stella and 60 Richmond superkings.


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