They aim to raise awareness of prescription savings schemes as patients in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are exempt from prescription charges
NHS England has launched a prescription savings campaign, particularly for those living with long-term conditions.
The campaign is specifically for individuals residing in deprived areas as they receive more prescriptions than people in affluent areas.
It is also known that people with low income could be entitled to help with costs or free prescriptions depending on their circumstances.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA), an active member of the Prescription Charges Coalition, is actively striving to eliminate prescription charges in England as well.
They are focussing on “NHS England’s current efforts to minimise charges so that members practising in England can alert patients to this possibility”.
However, it has been found that almost 10% of people have avoided taking up one or more NHS prescriptions because of the cost, as confirmed by the healthwatch poll.
Pharmacists should communicate certain points to patients, aside from the ones where people with low incomes may be able to save money on their prescriptions and provide free prescriptions to those with long-term health conditions.
NHS England has introduced a Prescription Prepayment Certificate, offering potential savings for individuals who require more than three prescription items within a three-month period or eleven items over the course of a year.
It covers all NHS prescriptions for a set pre-paid price, which can also be spread over 10 direct debit payments.
Sukhi Basra