This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Increase in prescription charges
02/03/2007
Prescription charges are to rise by 20 pence from April 1, bringing the cost for a single prescription item to £6.85 it was announced today.
This represents an increase of 3.6 per cent, just under the current rate of inflation.
Charge increases have been held at or below the rate of inflation over the last seven years.
Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"This continues the recent trend of modest increases in charges, which will help maintain the contribution of those who pay charges towards the cost of prescription drugs to the NHS."
The cost of a prescription pre-payment certificate will rise to £35.85 for a four month certificate and £98.70 for an annual certificate. These offer savings for people who need more than five items prescribed in four months or 14 items in one year.
Around 50 per cent of people in Scotland are exempt from prescription charges and only 8 per cent of prescriptions are paid for. Older people, children under 16, people on low incomes, pregnant women and nursing mothers will be among those unaffected by this increase because they receive their prescriptions free of charge.
Ministers are currently considering options for reform of the system of charges and exemptions.
Income from prescription charges in 2006-07 is expected to raise £46 million for NHSScotland.
Charges for elastic stockings and tights, fabric supports and wigs supplied through the hospital service will be increased similarly.