The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced 30 pence increase in prescription charges from £9.35 to £9.65 for each medicine or appliance dispensed.
Board Chair for England at RPS, Thorrun Govind commented: “This is a kick in the teeth for people in England who are already struggling with rising bills and food prices.
“Patients groups have warned that people are not collecting prescription medicines due to cost and pharmacists are seeing this worrying trend first-hand.
“A Government impact assessment noted the risk of adverse effects of people not taking their medicines, resulting in future health problems for the individual, potential hospital admissions, and a subsequent cost to the NHS.
“This decision seems to prioritise revenue generation over ill-health prevention and undermines the principle of an NHS free at the point of use.
“This outdated and complex system in England needs to be abolished.”
The cost of prescription pre-payment certificates (PPCs) will also be increased: 3-month PPC increases by £1 to £31.25 and 12-month PPC increases by £3.50 to £111.60. The recently introduced HRT PPC will cost £19.30.
