New prescription charges.

Margaret Pilkington · 07-03-2008, 09:41

From April 1st prescription charges are set to rise by 25 pence...taking the cost of every single item on your prescription to £7.10.
Well, that is unless you live in Wales, where the prescription charges are to be abolished....or scotland where the prescription charge currently stands at £5 per item....but even the Scots are to get free prescriptions later on this year.
Are we English folk subsidising the medicines for those in Wales and Scotland...and if so.....are we MUGS??????

And before anyone jumps on my tail.....I do know that those on certain benefits and tax credits will get their medicines for nowt.......but I know there are some who fall just above the levels of earning to get these benefits.....and these are the people that this charge will hit.
Unfair or what?

Neil · 07-03-2008, 09:45

It is outrageous that the UK is being divided up like this. The same thing is happening with university education. What will be next?

Margaret Pilkington · 07-03-2008, 10:12

I don't know, but it gives you ammunition to throw at door knockers when the prospective parliamentary candidates next surface and canvass for our support.....but hey folks have short memories don't they? They will all stump up and have forgotten by then.

cashman · 07-03-2008, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I don't know, but it gives you ammunition to throw at door knockers when the prospective parliamentary candidates next surface and canvass for our support.....but hey folks have short memories don't they? They will all stump up and have forgotten by then.

in the unlikely event,they knock on mine,cashy is an elephant in these matters.

andrewb · 07-03-2008, 10:29

To answer you're question: Yes we are subsidising.

Scotland get more money per head than we do spent on them.

Margaret Pilkington · 07-03-2008, 10:33

Thanks for that Cyfr......it was kind of a rhetorical question, because I knew the answer, but just wondered how many other people knew it too.......or perhaps suspected it.

onlyme · 07-03-2008, 10:33

I think is Scotland and Wales were self funding, then the changes would be up to them. However they are not, and they can quite happily come up with these vote-winning desicions happy in the knowledge thats its us than have to pay for it.

Margaret Pilkington · 07-03-2008, 10:35

It really does underline the fact that we are no longer a United Kingdom...we are divided by those who are given resources and those who pay for them.

jaysay · 07-03-2008, 10:50

No doubt Greg will be dashing to explain to use why we pay and Wales and Scotland don't. From my pont of view I don't pay for prescriptions, but when I did I had a prepaid certificate, but its still wrong wrong wrong, and lets face it its this government that has allowed it to happen, in the name of progress. If Wales and Scotland want to go it allone then let them, but not on the backs of the English

Neil · 07-03-2008, 10:50

So England is part of the Divided Kingdom within the United States of Europe. We really are screwed.

MargaretR · 07-03-2008, 10:53

There are parts of Wales where such incentives are needed to encourage immigration

panther · 07-03-2008, 13:25

I havent had a prescription for anything for over 2 years now, im glad really because that is a lot of money for some tablets, especially if ya have about 4 on ya prescription...that would be about £28!!!
its just bloody ridiculous, especially if you do need them and have to pay for it, because they end up giving ya the cheap brand as well!!!....cheeky baskets!!

Margaret Pilkington · 07-03-2008, 13:40

NHS dental charges are also going up at the same time.

cashman · 07-03-2008, 13:40

much of the stuff you can only "Get" on prescription here, you can buy over the counter (for peanuts) in farmacies in spain, as we are both in the E.U. its another example of Rip- Off Britain, to go with the welsh n scottish.

lindsay ormerod · 07-03-2008, 17:30

If you are getting "cheap brands" dispensed then you are going to the wrong pharmacy. The pharmacist should only dispense what is written on the script, ie if your doc has put omeprazole you should get a generic/cheap omeprazole, if your doc has put a branded one ie Losec, you should get Losec. The pharmacist shouldn't be giving cheapr generics as he /she is then defrauding the NHS by claiming for the more expesive ones. Complain to the pharmacy involved and mention it to your GP too.