Government announces prescription charge increase

The Government announced today that Prescription Charges are due to rise by 20p, to £7.85 from 1st April. 

Crohn’s and Colitis UK, lead organisation of the Prescription Charges Coalition issued the following statement:

Crohn’s and Colitis UK Chief Executive David Barker said: 

Patients with long-term  conditions are extremely disappointed to hear that Health Minister Earl Howe has announced a  20p rise in prescription charges to £7.85 from 1st April 2013. 
 
As a group of charities and  organisations representing millions of people with long-term conditions, we know that prescription charges are  arbitrary, outdated and inequitable, given that the list of exemptions has hardly been updated since its introduction in the 1960s.

Prescription charges have  risen every year since 1979, and the Minister must consider the impact this further increase will have on those who are already struggling to afford the essential medication required to keep them well.

The Coalition is due to  publish its report ‘Paying The Price’ on March 11th which tells a powerful story of a society paying too great a price for prescription charges.

We hope the Minister will  read this carefully and deliver the reform that would be priceless for all those with long-term conditions.

ENDS