The proposal could affect millions of older adults living in England who suffer from chronic ailments. Over-60s get the NHS prescriptions at no cost however, those aged in between the ages of 60-65 could be forced to pay for them,The cost of NHS Prescriptions,if the plans are approved. The increase in the cost of prescriptions in the same way would be a slap in the face A financial expert has advised. The idea of charging people aged 60 and 65 to pay for NHS prescriptions could also increase the living cost crisis which would put further strain on the pockets of people who are older.
The coming months will be filled with a flood of price and tax rises in the wake of income tax bill, National Insurance charges, the cost of energy as well as council tax demands and rail fares are all set to become more severe, according to Sarah Coles, senior personal analyst in finance at Hargreaves Lansdown.
The NHS prescription fee reforms will be on top of these
In the year 2000, the government announced plans to raise the minimum age to be eligible for prescriptions that are free for prescriptions in England between 60 and 66, in order to align them with the age of State Pension. It stated that many people between 60 and 65 remain employed and therefore be able to pay for the costs. Coles believes that the reform will likely to enter into effect on April 1st, the day on which prescription costs typically rise.”At the moment , there’s no cost for seniors over 60, but this may soon change. If that happens then it could force millions of people to being forced to pay for essential medications.The 1st of April this year, the cost for prescriptions went up by 20p, going up from PS9.15 to PS9.35 the increase was 2.1 percent that is in keeping with inflation.
In the past, the Prescription Charges Coalition dubbed the hike the equivalent of a “tax on health” and advised that patients may be in a position of having to choose between daily basic necessities such as food and medicines. The group said that based on the present trajectory, the bill could reach PS10.15 in 2025.
If prices for prescriptions continue to climb due to inflation, they could become even higher in cost, and rising to 6 percent by the end of the year. Coles said that the government is yet to determine the extent of increases in prescription costs however he warned that “2022 will be a year of transformation however not in a positive way. A majority of the financial changes that are coming could make us more vulnerable.”In the last decade, the price of prescriptions has increased by a staggering 26.4 percent, which is an increase of PS1.95 per prescription in a study by Chemist4U.
Patients with severe conditions may reduce the cost of treatment by buying a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) costing PS108.10 for a year’s worth consisting of “free” prescriptions. However, the cost could increase with the rate of inflation.Prescription Charges Coalition chair Laura Cockram is fighting to make people over 60 take on the cost of NHS prescriptions. She is warning of “the devastating impact of these plans on people with medical conditions. A number of organizations including the Royal College of GPs and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society are also protesting against the changes and Abrahams stated: “We want the Government to realise this will hit those on lower incomes hardest.”If the change is implemented the 60-65 year olds will remain eligible in the free NHS prescriptions, if they are in a lower income bracket or qualify for benefits, or have a medical exemption.The consultation of the Government regarding the changes ended on September 3rd and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced it will take action “in due course”.
