Government to help cancer patients with free prescriptions
Gordon Brown announced his intention to scrap prescription charges for cancer patients at the Labour conference in Manchester this week.
He also added that Labour will also be looking into abolishing charges for all patients with long term conditions.
In a statement on behalf of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, Beth Taylor Chair of the English Pharmacy Board has said:
“This is good news for those affected by cancer. It is unfair for cancer patients to have to deal with the added financial burden of prescription charges and we see at first hand the anguish that this can cause.
“However, Gordon Brown’s commitment to abolish charges for all patients with long-term conditions is conditional on the NHS generating cash savings from the drugs budget. This may not be as easy and we do not think his promise should be conditional. Patients should not have to pay for the NHS failing to deliver savings in the drugs budget."
Also commenting on the Prime Ministers announcement, John Turk, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association said:
“The NPA has long called for a review of prescription charges and we are pleased to see this is now underway. The current arrangements are inequitable and inconsistent, and we hope that a fairer system will arise from the Prime Minister’s commitment to reform."
To view the full statement from the RPSGB please visit this link.
To view the NPA's reaction to this announcement please visit the NPA website.