01.04.11
Prescription charges up in England, gone in Scotland
England is now the only part of the UK with prescription charges – and they have gone up this morning by 20p.
Following Scotland’s gradual reduction and now abolition of the charges, it has now joined Wales (2007) and Northern Ireland (2010) in making prescriptions free, as demanded by patients’ groups and professional organisations.
But in England, the cost has gone up from £7.20 to £7.40 – although many exemptions and discounts apply, meaning the vast majority of prescription items are actually picked up for free.
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