Prescription Prices Escalate – The “Tax on the Working Poor” Yet Again
In a move that’s left many doctors and patients shaking their heads, NHS prescription prices in England are bumping up to £9.90 per item, a jump from the previous £9.65.
What’s the Deal?
- Individual prescriptions: £9.90 → £9.65
- 12‑month prepayment certificate: £114.50 → £111.60
That’s nearly a full pound more per pill – think of it as a “dark day” for anyone paying out of pocket.
Why Is This a Deal‑Breaker?
“This is a dark day for patients who will now have to pay nearly £10 for each item on their prescription,” says RPS chairwoman Tase Oputu.
- The cost‑of‑living crisis is already making it hard for people on modest incomes.
- Prescription charges were free in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, yet England still sticks to the bill.
The RPS’s Call for a Change
“The relentless yearly increase in prescription charges is making medicines unaffordable for many,”
— RPS Chairwoman Tase Oputu.
- “People are forced to pick which meds they can do without.”
- “No one should have to face a financial barrier to get the medicines they need.”
- “Prescription charges should be scrapped in England, as they have been elsewhere in the UK.”
National Pharmacy Association Speaks Out
Nick Kaye, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, shares the same sentiment:
- “Letting prescription charges rise to this level is a shameful neglect of people on low, fixed incomes who are not exempt.”
- “Many already skip collecting some or all of their prescription medicines because of cost, risking serious health outcomes.”
- This is a “tax on the working poor” that deepens the cost‑of‑living crisis.
Takeaway
It’s not just a number – it’s a policy that hurts those who need it the most. Scrapping these charges could turn a health crisis into a help emergency!
Keep an eye out for updates on this topic; you won’t want to miss the next wave of changes!
