Prescription charges will stay the same next month, the government confirms - although plans are in the pipeline to make more people pay for their medicines.
Last April saw the price of a prescription rise by 20p to £9.35, and there were widespread concerns that the cost of medicine at the pharmacy would rise again this year. But Government health minister Edward Argar said there were no plans to increase - or decrease - prescription prices on the table.
That's good news for those who have to pay at the pharmacy counter, though there are proposals that would raise the age of free prescriptions to 66, in line with the increasing State Pension age. Currently, anyone aged 60 and older can get their medicine without having to pay.
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As many as 2.4 million Brits could lose their free prescriptions under plans to change the system. There are two different proposals being looked at - one would mean the change comes into immediate effect for everyone so that those aged 60 to 65 have to start paying for medication, the other would mean anyone in the 60-65 age bracket who already gets free prescriptions would still be exempt from payment until they reach 66, so they would not suddenly face charges.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said: "We are regularly contacted by older people asking what is happening with the changes as they are so worried about having to pay for their prescriptions with little warning."
A petition to keep free prescriptions for the over-60s has been signed by more than 46,000 people and the Department of Health and Social Care responded to the petition with a full statement explaining its position.
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The statement said: "At this time, no decision has yet been taken on the consultation. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is considering the results carefully and an announcement setting out the Government's response and course of action will be made in due course.
"The Government would like to stress its commitment to keeping the NHS sustainable whilst protecting the most vulnerable. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge, and extensive arrangements are in place to help those most in need."
It continued: "It is estimated that 34% of those in the age range 60-65 would be exempt from prescription charges if the upper age limit for free prescriptions was raised in line with the State Pension age. Prescription charges generate revenue for the NHS of approximately £600m per year, which goes towards essential running costs for frontline services.
"Currently, people receive free prescriptions when they turn 60 in England. This has not changed since 1974 for women, and 1995 for men. The State Pension age in England is currently 66 and is planned to increase further for men and women to 68 in future years. In 2019/20, around 60% of people in the 60-65 age group were still economically active and potentially able to meet the cost of their prescriptions.
"As increasing numbers of people live longer, there are more people claiming free prescriptions. It is projected that by 2066, there will be a further 8.6 million projected UK residents aged 65 years and over, which will be 26% of the total population."
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