The Department of Health has today published the Prescription Charges Review, authored by RCP President Professor Ian Gilmore. He said:
Although this review was commissioned by the previous Government in a more favourable financial climate, and, disappointingly, was not published or responded to by them, I believe it still represents a useful way forward for exempting patients with long-term conditions from prescription charges. The present list of exempted conditions is outdated and arbitrary, and the approach in this respect has gained strong support from professional and patient groups alike. Furthermore, the report outlines a way in which exemptions could be phased in the fairest way possible when the financial landscape allows it.