Free Prescriptions

[sandmaster]

England is considering free prescriptions. We already have them in Wales. I think it is a mixed blessing. For those who are ill they are great, but you will get scroungers (rich and poor) who will take up a GPs time for cough medicines, aspirin etc. I think free should only apply to the long term sick, pensioners and those temporarily unemployed.
Or am I being mean? There is such a shortage of funds for the NHS this money can surely be better spent?

[Greedyfly]

I agree with you to a degree. I badly broke my ankle at the start of December & had to have surgery etc.. And I have had to buy my pain relief, at �7.40 a prescription its ridiculous. I also noticed after 2 prescriptions that one of the drugs they had presribed I could buy over the counter for less than 40p. I was paying out around �23 every couple of weeks - in the end I just put up with the pain. Maybe they shouldnt be free for everyone maybe they should be cheaper? Or maybe a prescription should mean all that is prescribed at one time costs you �7.40 instead of �7.40 per item?
I find it stupid that people who have long term health problems that are not unable to work should have to fork out so much, just to feel better or to be able to live there life better.

[McMouse]

Anyone with a long term health problem can pre-purchase a prescription "season ticket" for 3, 6 or 12 months and this reduces the cost greatly.

[ethandron]

every year i buy a 12 month pre-paid prescription card because i have 2 items every month on regulr prescription and it saves me money. it's such a blooming faff to get an appointment at the doctors that i have never bothered to 'waste the doctors time' by making a special appointment for paracetamol, co-codamol, eye drops, or any other medication that is available on prescription but can also be bought over the counter without one, even though i wouldn't have to pay further.
so i don't necessarily agree that people would take advantage of free prescriptions should they come in here in england - bring it on, i say!!

[Postdog]

I haven't read the link, but I did read about this elsewhere and it said it was calling for that because people are reluctant to pay for drugs, and their health may suffer.

In my case that is probably true, as I am supposed to be on blood pressure medication, but cannot afford it. It's a joke - I'm a WORKING man and I can't afford it!!

As such, i'm on self help - eating two bananas a day and slowly losing weight.

[chinadog]

Its the doctors in England who want free "scripts" for their patients and rightly so. I hope the government sits up and takes notice!!

[sandmaster]

postdog and people like him should have free prescriptions. But I think ethandron is a little naive. There are many people who will go to the doctor for a headache or mild cough if the prescription is free. Let's face it, ambulances have been called out for minor conditions such as ingrowing toenails!!

[LoftyLottie2]

There is no way that people in Wales and Scotland should have free prescriptions whilst people in England do not. No wonder we are becoming a divided nation. Mine are now free as I am a pensioner.

[ethandron]

i wouldn't say naive, more realistic. there will always be those who will take advantage of course, but generally it's far easier to pick up your paracetamol, cough medicine, etc., along with your weekly shop, than to go to the bother of ringing up for days trying to get an appointment, then get yourself (maybe a bus trip away) to the doctor, to wait for over an hour in the waiting room, to save a few pounds.

[sqad617]

Oddd isn't ......people can afford fags, p1ss ups on a Saturday night, but can't afford the prescription charges.

[Postdog]

Sorry, I can't do none of that either!!

[horselady]

I never thought of that side of things, suppose you will always get the scroungers I will be 60 next week so mine will be free, costs me loads for my blood pressure tablets so I shall enjoy that.

[daffy654]

The way the system is now is unfair.Some people qualify for free prescriptions because without the medication they would die (diabetics for example),but asthmatics do not qualify,yet without the inhalers our lives are also at risk. I say give free prescriptions for any drug that cannot be bought over the counter then you wouldn't get the time wasters as mentioned above.

[puddicat]

Its a fiver here at the moment,we have to pay something if it be nominal, the nhs couldnt sustain it being free!!!

[chinadog]

I've not long read that despite the doctors lobbying, the government are not dropping script charges in England!

[sandmaster]

loftylottie is right, it is not fair. But I resent the scroungers getting free cough medicines etc. As for the inconvenience of queueing at the doctors etc - you should see our High Street. Scores of people outside their sheltered housing flats on a dry day - drinking cheap lager paid for from their benefits. A wait in a warm waiting room would be nothing for them. The sentimental shouldn't waste their time feeling sorry for them either. The same faces day after day, average age about 25, well dressed. They all seem to get new clothes at the same time - stolen or a benefit payout? They get drunk and nasty by lunch time and for many our High Street becomes a no go area. The police have a purge now and again but are usually conspicuous by their absence.