Abolition of Prescription Charges Briefing No 129

Feb 2006

BACKGROUND

Colin Fox, MSP has been promoting a Member's Bill for the Abolition of Prescription charges in the Scottish Parliament. This would mean that those who currently have to pay a charge for their prescriptions would no longer need to do so.

UNISON has supported this Bill from the outset and gave written and oral evidence to the Health Committee of the Parliament.

The Bill has been discussed in the Health Committee over the past session and has finally published a report, (11 January 2006) which was narrowly approved by the Committee with a recommendation "that the Parliament approves the general principles of the Bill".

REASONS FOR SUPPORTING THE BILL

UNISON has supported the Bill as we believe that prescription charges are inherently unfair, inequitable, illogical and inconsistent.

Despite the Executive's assertions that 80% of all prescriptions dispensed in Scotland are free, evidence shows that the current system adversely affects more people on low incomes and in chronic ill health who find themselves unable to afford the medicines they are prescribed.

Anecdotal evidence from our members working in health centres and the community shows that many people do not take up their prescriptions, or choose the most important, if prescribed many items.

This can cause a deterioration in their health, leading to more expensive hospital treatment at a later date.

According to research carried out by the Citizen's Advice Bureau, the numbers not taking up their prescriptions rises with every increase in charges and this has increased over the last year due to changes to Incapacity Benefit which have taken many people out of income support top-up and removed their right to free prescriptions.

In addition, the cost of prescriptions has an effect on people with chronic illnesses. Some diseases are exempt from prescription charges, but there are many, life-threatening diseases, including conditions such as chronic heart disease, arthritis, asthma, cancer, including chemotherapy drugs taken in the community, Hepatitis C and HIV/Aids which all have to be paid for. These are some of the biggest killers in Scotland which have a prevalence amongst lower income groups and a greater take-up of medicines could play an enormous part in saving Scottish citizens from the worst effects of these diseases.

Mental Health treatments also have to be paid for once patients are released from hospitals, even if they are subject to a Compulsory Treatment Order.

SITUATION IN OTHER PARTS OF THE UK

The Welsh Assembly is committed to the phased abolition of prescription charges by 2007. Wales already provides free prescriptions to 16-25 year olds and as of 1 October 2004 the price of a prescription fell to £5 in Wales. A further price drop took place in 2005 and another one is due in 2006.

There are no plans to abolish prescription charges in England or Northern Ireland.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

According to press coverage since the Health Committee vote, the Scottish Executive and Ministers are determined that free prescriptions should not be introduced, arguing that it would mean the poor being penalised and rich people being given the benefit. They are making suggestions that there may be scope for extending a review into prescription charging but there appears to be slow progress on this. They are also promising to issue a consultation paper setting out a range of options for changing the scheme, in the future.

According to the Progress Report on the Bill, Stage 1 has to be completed by 26 January 2006, which means that it will be introduced to the Parliamentary Business within the next two weeks. This is the stage where the general principles are discussed and Parliament agrees whether or not it should proceed to Stage 2, when more detailed consideration would be given. If it passes both of these stages, it goes forward to Stage 3 when final consideration is given and a decision whether it should be passed or rejected by the Parliament is taken.

The pressing need at this time is for the Parliament to pass the Bill at Stage 1, otherwise it will fall. Whilst UNISON would support reforms to the current scheme, we believe that the pressure of the Bill is the best way to ensure that any changes are meaningful and will meet our criticisms of current charges.

WHAT CAN BRANCHES DO?

Branches should ask members to put urgent pressure on MSPs to support the Bill at Stage 1 in the next few weeks.

To find out who your local MSPs are, click on the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/index.htm

FURTHER INFORMATION

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/bills/35-abolitionNHS/index.htm

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-comm-06/cheal06-001.htm

http://www.scrapcharges.org.uk/news/2006/01/campaigning-for-end-to-prescription.html

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/health/reports-06/her06-01-00.htm

http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/prescription.html