More Compassionate Conservatism

[Canary42]

Continuing their odious policy of making money out of sickness, the Tory Toffs once again show their true colours.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9747841/Free-NHS-prescription-age-rise-66-Government-looks-bring-extra-300million.html

[naomi24]

Nonsense. What's to be compassionate about? Sixty is below retirement age. Why shouldn't those still working pay for their medication? Too many people want something for nothing.

[youngmafbog]

Most people dont pay anyway.

Personally I think it should be the same as Scotland and Wales.

[barry1010]

The free prescriptions used to be linked to pension age but of course, that is no longer the case.
As it is, only about 10% of people in England pay for their prescriptions at the moment.
Those that do have to pay can choose to pay £10.81 by monthly direct debit to cover all their prescriptions. Not a huge amount, is it?

[naomi24]

Maybe if people have to pay for their medication more will buy a packet of aspirin from Tesco for £1 rather than get them on prescription.

[Sqad]

Yes, I think that 85% of prescriptions are FREE and only a minority pay.
Also if you have certain chronic and on going conditions such as Hypothyroidism or Diabetes, ALL prescriptions related or unrelated to your approved disorder are FREE.

No big deal.

[barry1010]

I agree with you there, Naomi. I think I pay 16p for aspirin and ibuprofen.

[ToraToraTora]

I've never seen anyone actually pay for a prescription except me.

[dannyk13]

Just the usual tweeting from Canary.Never thinks before posting.

[ladybirder]

60p I paid for Ibuprofen capsules from Waitrose.
We are living longer, the government is doing the sensible thing.

[davebro]

I only get prescriptions (free) for things I can't get without prescription. Low level pain meds & skin creams etc. I buy on ebay.

[barry1010]

Good boy, Dave.

[youngmafbog]

//Also if you have certain chronic and on going conditions//

Except Asthma.

[dannyk13]

ymb, doesn't asthma come under COPD?

[youngmafbog]

//Maybe if people have to pay for their medication more will buy a packet of aspirin from Tesco for £1 rather than get them on prescription.//

Except most people get prescriptions free and will continue to do so even if this comes about.

The answer is to remove these items from what can be put on a prescription.

[ToraToraTora]

instead of charging 10% a tenner just charge everyone a pound!

[barry1010]

People with COPD are not exempt from prescription charges just because they have COPD. Nor are type 2 diabetics if it is controlled by diet alone.

[youngmafbog]

No Danny. I have severe asthma and have paid a fortune over the years. My asthma will never get better and could kill me if no medication especially if I get flu etc. Just one of those things.

[barry1010]

Young, do you pay for the annual pre-paid prescriptions? Not too expensive that way

[barry1010]

By the way, youngmafbog, a lot of asthma drugs are very cheap to buy on private prescription such as Salamol inhaler for £1.25. Worth looking in to

[naomi24]

Still waiting to hear where the 'compassionate' but fits into Canary's OP.