Free NHS Drugs to End in Wales?

12.00.00am GMT Mon 6th Oct 2008

Speculation by the national media over the weekend hinting that free-for-all prescriptions in Wales are to be axed has led a leading member of the National Assembly for Wales calling on the Assembly Health Minister to "come clean".

"This free-for-all policy has led to a spiralling bill for the NHS in Wales", said Michael German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, "We've witnessed the well documented situation of people claiming for basic items from their GPs, which they used to buy for pence across the counter in a supermarket."

The free-for-all policy was only brought in by the then Labour Welsh Assembly Government 18 months ago-but has cost far MORE than the anticipated £30 MILLION.

GPs have been issuing prescriptions for regular over-the-counter products such as Bonjella, Vaseline, Milk of Magnesia and Aspirin.

But now there is emerging evidence that thousands of English residents have also taken advantage of the scheme by registering with Welsh doctors just across the border which is adding to pressure on NHS budgets. Figures this year showed there were 100,000 more people on Welsh GPs' lists than actually lived in the country. It has all led to the NHS there being overwhelmed by the spiraling bill for the drugs, with it draining resources from the rest of the health budget.

Speaking on his worry that the free-for-all policy would create a heavy burden for the Welsh NHS, Mr. German said, "Here we have a policy full of good intentions that despite warning form the Liberal Democrats would lead to widespread abuse and crate a huge burden on the health budget meaning we would see a squeeze resulting in less life saving anti-cancer drugs being made available.

"In these uncertain economic times, every penny spent by the government has got to count. Dishing out free-for-all prescriptions means less money for life-saving drugs and treatments to make peoples' chronic conditions manageable and more comfortable."

Mr. German added, "The Labour-Plaid Assembly Government now have to come clean: can they continue to afford this 'free' policy that does little for the Welsh NHS except to place a heavy, unnecessary burden, on the public purse."