Prescription charges (historical)

[George38]

Well before the advent of the National Health Service, prescriptions had to be paid for. Does anyone know what the charge for prescriptions were in 1917? This information is needed to settle an argument!

[emsidoodles]

The "Royal Pharmaceutical society of Great Britain" Information center, FAQ's says that:

"The charge on National Health Service (NHS) prescriptions were introduced on June 1st, 1952."

[Buenchico]

As has been stated, standard prescription charges were only introduced in 1952. Prior to that, a doctor would prescribe the medication and the pharmacist would charge the appropriate price for the item prescribed. So, if the prescription was for two dozen aspirin tablets a small charge would be made. If, however, the prescription was for a large quantity of morphine, a large charge would be imposed. Without knowing the product (and the quantity) involved it's impossible to state what the charge would have been.

(If I still haven't made myself clear, just imagine that today's NHS system was abolished. If your doctor prescribed a month's supply of drugs to treat your hay fever, a pharmacist might charge you �20. If, however, your doctor prescribed a month's supply of the latest drugs to suppress the develpment of cancer, e.g. Herceptin, the pharmacist might charge you �2000. No system = no standard charges).

Chris

[George38]

Many thanks for the quick and comprehensive response. Just the kind of answer I was hoping for!