NPA calls for end to prescription charge after freeze announcement

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has asked for prescription charges to be completely removed despite the government announcing today that the charge will be frozen for the first time in three years.

Patients will continue paying £9.90 to collect their medication from a pharmacy.

The Government today said the move would save patients about £18 million next year while those already exempt from paying prescriptions would continue to be so.

However, England is the only country in the UK that still charges for prescription medicine.

"It is good news for patients and pharmacies that the government has taken the step to freeze the prescription charge today for the first time in three years,” said Nick Kaye, chair of the NPA.

"However, we've long called for the prescription charge to be scrapped, which acts as a barrier to some patients accessing vital medication and this is something we'd urge the government to work towards.

"As pharmacists, we are health care professionals and have no interest in being tax collectors.”

“Today we are freezing prescription charges so that means they won't go over £10 and that is really significant, because very many people have to pay for prescriptions.”

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said the freeze to the prescription charge was part of the government’s plans to ease the cost-of-living crisis.

Three-month and annual prescriptions prepayment certificates are also being frozen for the coming year.

Those who already do not have to pay for their prescription – including children, over-60s, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions – will continue to avoid the costs.

“There's a sort of cost-of-living crisis that is still very challenging for people, so this is an important measure in that,” he said.

“It's not the only measure of course — we are taking steps on school uniforms to limit the cost of school uniforms, we're driving up the minimum wage, we've got breakfast clubs coming on stream, that's something we announced last week, which will save families about £450.

“Each of these, in their incremental way, will ease the pressure that people feel because of the cost-of-living crisis.”

Approximately £600million is generated each year in revenue from prescription charges in England for the delivery of NHS services.

The freeze also comes just weeks after a record £617 million investment was pledged to boost community pharmacies across the country.

“This Government's plan for change will always put working people first and our moves today to freeze prescription charges will put money back into the pockets of millions of patients,” said health and social care secretary Wes Streeting.

“Fixing our NHS will be a long road — but by working closer with our pharmacies we're saving money and shifting care to the community where it's closer to your home.

“We made the difficult but necessary choices at the budget to fund moves like this and change our NHS so it can once again be there for you when you need it.”