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CHAPTER THREE: OMNIBUS SURVEY FINDINGS
This chapter of the report presents the main findings from the Omnibus Survey module run by TNS System Three in May 2006. In total, 1,077 adults were interviewed. Details of the methodology are contained in chapter 2 above.
Awareness of prescription costs and pre-payment certificates
Overall, only 3% knew the exact cost of a prescription (currently £6.65). Over two-thirds (68%) believed that the cost was less whilst 28% believed that the cost was more. However, the average cost cited by respondents was in fact £6.38 which indicates that, although respondents are unable to cite the exact cost, the perceived cost was, in most cases, close to the actual cost.
When asked whether they were aware of pre-payment certificates for prescriptions, just over half of respondents claimed to be aware of them (56%).
Reasons for not handing in prescriptions
Eight per cent of those who had visited their GP in the last year had been issued a prescription but not handed it in. The results are shown in Figure 3.1 below. The results should be treated with a degree of caution as the base size is only 64. However, the most common reasons were financial. "It was cheaper to buy the medication over the counter" was the reason most mentioned (by 29% of those who had not handed in a prescription), while "costs too much money" was mentioned by around a quarter (26%). Around a fifth of respondents (18%) stated that "I wanted to wait and see if I felt better".
Figure 3.1: Reasons for not handing in prescription - total mentions
Base: All who have been given a prescription by their GP but not handed it in (64)
Free prescriptions: effect on behaviour
Around a fifth of respondents (21%) thought they would be more likely to visit their doctor for a prescription if they thought they needed medication whilst a quarter (25%) thought it would make them more likely to visit a doctor for something they could buy over the counter without a prescription (see Figure 3.2 below). There are therefore clear indications that dropping prescription charges would result in an increase in demand on doctors' time and for prescriptions.
Figure 3.2: If charges were dropped and prescriptions became free to everybody how would it influence your decision to visit the doctor?
Base: All respondents (1,077)
Awareness of current exemptions
In order to ascertain current levels of awareness of groups exempt from paying prescription charges, respondents were shown a list of groups and asked to state which ones they believed are currently exempt. The list contained some groups who are exempt and some groups who are not.
Figure 3.3: Prompted awareness of groups exempt from paying prescription charges
Base: All respondents (1,077)
Overall, 97% were able to correctly identify at least one group who are currently exempt, with over three-fifths mentioning children under 16, those on income support, over 60s and pregnant women. However, a large number of respondents also believe that a number of incorrect groups are eligible for exemption. These are shown in Figure 3.4.
Figure 3.4: Prompted awareness of groups exempt from paying prescription charges
Base: All respondents (1,077)
Overall, 88% of the sample mentioned an incorrect group. This indicates that, on a general level, respondents were aware of the principle of exempt groups ( e.g. age-related, income-related) but not the exact detail of the current arrangements.
Views on who should be exempt
Respondents were then asked their attitudes towards four particular groups obtaining exemption: a) all people with long-term medical conditions, b) those on a low income, c) all full-time students and d) young people in training.
Figure 3.5: Attitudes towards certain groups obtaining exemption
Base: All respondents (1,077)
There were very strong levels of support for all people with long-term medical conditions (87% strongly in favour with a further 11% slightly in favour) and those on a low income (68% strongly in favour with a further 26% slightly in favour) gaining exempt status. Support for all full-time students and young people in training was more mixed, although a majority were slightly or strongly in favour. Specifically, 46% were strongly in favour of all full-time students receiving exemption whilst 48% were strongly in favour of young people in training receiving exemption. However, around a fifth were not in favour of each of these groups obtaining exemption.
Views on funding an extension of free prescriptions
Respondents were then asked to state whether they supported or opposed diverting money from a) other areas of government spending, b) the NHS in Scotland in order to pay for the extension of free prescriptions. The results are shown in Figure 3.6.
There was strong support for diverting money from other areas of government spending to pay for the extension of free prescriptions. Overall, 64% supported this proposition, with only 15% opposing it. However, there was strong opposition to the extension of free prescriptions being funded from other areas of the NHS in Scotland, with 63% opposing this idea.
Figure 3.6: Level of support for Scottish Executive diverting money from . . .
Base: All respondents (1,077)
Summary of key findings from the Omnibus Survey
Most people were unaware of the exact cost of a prescription (although for most the perceived cost was close to the actual cost), whilst just over half were aware of the existence of prescription pre-payment certificates. Just over one in ten of those who had visited a GP in the last 12 months had a prescription which they had not handed in. Although reasons for not doing so were varied, the commonest reasons related to cost - either because it was cheaper to buy the item over the counter or it "cost too much" in general.
There are indications that between a quarter and a fifth of people would be more likely to go to the doctor for a prescription if they felt they needed medication and prescriptions were free to all, with around one in eight very likely to do so. Dropping prescription charges could therefore lead to an increase in demand on doctors' time and for prescriptions.
There was some confusion about which groups are currently eligible for exemption from prescription charges. However, the main confusion appeared to lie in the detail rather than the principles, e.g. whether the age threshold for exemption was 60 or 65, or whether people with any long-term medical condition or only specific conditions were exempt.
There was strong support from a significant majority for all people with long-term medical conditions obtaining exemption from prescription charges, with around two-thirds endorsing this, similarly for those on a low income. Such support did not extend to the same degree to either students or young people in training.
While the majority supported diverting money from other areas of government spending in Scotland to pay for the extension of free prescriptions, it was clearly felt that this should not come from NHS budget allocations. Free prescriptions should not, in the public view, be provided at the expense of other aspects of NHS funding and performance.
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