Responding to today’s publication of the number, type and cost of prescriptions dispensed in the community, Shadow Health Minister Andrew RT Davies AM said:
“These figures demonstrate how, in a time of budget pressures, the universal free prescriptions policy cannot be sustained.
“We need to get to grips with medicines wastage and the practice of issuing prescriptions for supermarket own brand drugs such as Ibuprofen which cost pennies to buy off the shelf but cost the NHS much more to provide for free.
“Welsh Conservatives have set out plans which will mean those who can afford it pay a small amount for their prescriptions but those that can’t – such as children, pensioners, students, and those on benefits – will continue to get them for free.
“This is about using precious NHS resources wisely. By asking those who can afford to pay we will save around £30 million, money we would invest in frontline services such as hospice care and stroke services.”
