Pharmacists blast ‘shameful' rise in price of prescriptions

Leading pharmacists have blasted the government over “shameful” increases in the cost of NHS prescriptions. From today they go up from £9.65 per item to £9.90.

- REBECCA THOMAS

Pharmacists across the country have hit out at the rise, warning it will disadvantage working patients on lower incomes. 

Meanwhile, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said the move will create an “arbitrary barrier” to people’s ability to receive healthcare.

According to an NPA survey, patients already report not getting regular medication due to the costs. Antibiotics, painkillers, asthma inhalers, blood pressure medication and antidepressants are examples of the most commonly reported medicines which patients have not taken up, because they can’t afford to pay. Hundreds of pharmacies reported seeing patients decline medicines due to the cost of prescriptions, one to five times a week.