The letter, led by the Prescription Charges Coalition, which represents over 50 organisations, has been backed by over 600 members of the public and was handed in on Thursday 29 February.
Campaigners have called for the prescription charge, which is currently £9.65 per item, to be frozen as people living with long-term health conditions in England are being forced to choose between heating, eating, and taking their vital medication, on a daily basis. Prescriptions are free in all other nations of the UK.
In 2023, research from the Prescription Charges Coalition found that nearly 10% of respondents had skipped medication in the past year due to the cost of prescriptions and this increased their physical and mental health problems, as well as impacted the time they took off work.
Laura Cockram, Chair of the Prescription Charges Coalition and Head of Campaigns at Parkinson’s UK, said, “Living with a long-term health condition or disability often adds to the cost of living. Many need more heating to stay well and extra electricity to power assistive technology devices.
“We are deeply concerned that a further rise in the charge this year will lead to people skipping or not taking the full dose of their medication, and we fear this will have a negative impact on their health and put more pressure on the already under pressure NHS. Ultimately, the UK government needs to review the unfair exemption list.”
Paul Day, Director of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association said, “A survey of more than 1,000 pharmacists in January 2024 showed that 97% had seen patients in England decline medicines due to prescription charges, with more than a quarter saying this is happening increasingly often. Our members do not see this in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland as those nations have abolished prescription charges.”
Photography by Jess Hurd
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