OVER 26 MILLION PRESCRIPTIONS DISPENSED BY NHS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE LAST YEAR
Tuesday 1 April marked the 14th anniversary of prescription charges being scrapped by the SNP Scottish Government – a policy that has saved the average household in Scotland over £400 a year.
Latest figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) show that over 114 million prescriptions, including 26,355,740 by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, were dispensed in Scotland in 2023/24.
This means that, on average, people in Scotland received 20.8 prescriptions.
Based on the £9.90 charge currently in place in England, the average household in Scotland therefore saved £436.72 in 2023/24 because of the policy.
In one of his first acts as Scottish Tory leader, Russell Findlay outlined his plans to re-introduce charges if he ever came to power – a move which would cost each person £206 per year on average.
A report by Trussell Trust last year showed that in England, 68% of working households receiving Universal Credit have gone without essentials such as prescription medication due to the costs involved.
Commenting, Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan said:
“The SNP is proud to have abolished prescription charges in Scotland, ensuring that everyone in Inverclyde has access to the medication they require based on their needs rather than the ability to pay.
“The SNP believe that healthcare should be free at the point of use for everyone. The prescription charges, which Russell Findlay plans to re-introduce, were nothing more than a tax on ill health.
“In the face of soaring energy bills, despite Labour’s promise to bring them down, people in Inverclyde are still living through a cost-of-living crisis – making it more important than ever that they can access the medical treatment they need without worrying about the cost.
“With Labour continuing to hint at an increased level of private healthcare involvement in the NHS, only the SNP can be trusted to put the people of Inverclyde first and protect them from having to pay for their vital medication.”
