Figures show that prescription charges policy is a disaster - Randerson

3.41.02pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Aug 2008

Jenny Randerson's survey showed patients were claiming cheap over the counter medecines on prescription

New statistics reveal today that the number of prescriptions issued in the first year since all charges were scrapped have risen dramatically. Commenting on the 5% increase in items claimed on prescription, Jenny Randerson, Welsh Lib Dem health Spokesperson said:

"We warned the Government that giving free prescriptions for all would be disastrous and today's figures have vindicated our position. Three million extra items claimed in the last year is a direct result of this policy.

"A 5% increase is disastrous when the Government is refusing to fund vital lifesaving drugs. What we are seeing here is evidence that people are claiming for things that cost just a few pence over the counter.

"My GP survey last year showed that GPs were deeply worried by the impact of this policy and were seeing huge changes in the numbers and nature of prescriptions. These figures go a long way to confirm that report.

"The real damage will only become apparent when we find out the financial cost of this policy over several years. I am worried that it will show a large amount of money that could have been spent on frontline care will have simply been poured down the drain.

"The cost of this gimmick will be with Welsh patients for generations. While millionaires claim their free paracetomol, the health service will continue to be to stretched to provide life saving services."

Notes:

Jenny Randerson's report "At What Cost" revealed that doctors were being asked to prescribe over-counter products at an alarmingly high rate since the scrapping of all prescription charges.