13/03/2006

Prescription charges to increase by 15p

The cost of an NHS prescription will rise by 15p to £6.65 for a single prescription item from the start of April.

The cost of prescription pre-payment certificates will also increase, rising by 75p to £34.65 for four months and by £2.10 to £95.30 for 12 months.

Minister of State for Delivery, Quality and Patient Safety, Jane Kennedy, said: "For the eighth consecutive year we have held the increase to below or around the level of inflation. This is a modest increase, which will help maintain the contribution that charges make towards the cost of the NHS."

Ms Kennedy said that around 87% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in England, while prepayment certificates offered a saving to anyone who needed more than 5 items in 4 months or more than 14 items in 12 months. "Prescription prepayment certificates mean that anyone may obtain all the prescriptions they need for less than £2 per week."

Around 50% of the population are entitled to free prescriptions, including men and women aged 60 or over and children under 16.

Prescription charges are expected to raise around £430 million for the NHS in 2006-2007.

Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and fabric supports supplied through the Hospital Service will also be increased similarly.

(KMcA/GB)


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