MSP WELCOMES REDUCTION OF PRESCRIPTION CHARGES TO £3

MSP WELCOMES REDUCTION OF PRESCRIPTION CHARGES TO £3

TAX ON ILL HEALTH ON WAY OUT WITH SNP

LIBDEMS BETRAY BEVERIDGE PRINCIPLES

Michael Matheson MSP – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee – has welcomed the publication by the SNP Government of regulations which will see prescription charges cut from £4 to £3 from April 1st this year. Next year it is planned to abolish the charge totally.

The planned legislation will also see the cost of a four-month Pre-Payment Certificate reduced from £13 to £10 and a twelve-month PPC from £38 to £28

Commenting Mr Matheson said:

"In these tough economic times reducing prescription charges will particularly help many people who need medicines but find it difficult to afford them.

"The SNP is bringing down the cost of prescription drugs and we will see this tax on ill health abolished next year.


"The early evidence of last year's reduction show that it is those with long term conditions who have to live with the cost of medicines who have benefited most from these cuts.

"Prescription charges are a tax on ill health and are unacceptable in a modern society. “

Responding to comments by the LibDem’s health spokesperson, Ross Finnie, who has now aped the Tories opposition to abolishing prescription charges, Mr Matheson said:

“The LibDems have now made themselves indistinguishable from the Tories on this touchstone issue. There is no difference in principle between treatment free at the point of need in hospitals, and prescription drugs also free at the point of need.

“There are many people on modest means who need long term treatment who suffer because of the tax on ill health.

“Sir William Beveridge - who wrote the foundation report for the welfare state - was a Liberal. Ross Finnie has now betrayed the Liberal legacy of Beveridge in his rush to ape the Tories.”