As active members of the Prescription Charges Coalition since 2020, the PDA continues to advocate for prescription charges in England to be reduced to zero, in line with the approach already taken in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The PDA believes that equitable access to medicines should be a reality for all patients across all four nations of the UK, not dependent on geography or personal income.
The prescription charges coalition was formed by charities supporting patients with specific long-term conditions, who are not excluded from prescription charges as the list of exceptions is significantly out of date. In addition to supporting the coalition’s goals, the PDA believe pharmacists should not be placed in the difficult position of enforcing what is effectively a form of government ‘tax’ on any patients. Pharmacists focus must remain firmly on patient care and professional clinical practice, not on acting as agents for the collection of funds for the revenue.
A survey from the National Pharmacy Association published today shows that 1 in 10 patients go without medicine last year due to prescription charge worries. This analysis reflects earlier research by the PDA and others, and demonstrates that the current system continues to cause this issue.
The PDA therefore reiterates the call for a fairer, more compassionate system that puts patients first and supports the role of pharmacists as healthcare professionals, not tax collectors.