16 March 2023 , 13:31
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The Government has DITCHED plans to raise the age for free prescriptions to 66-years-old which would have forced millions of people to start paying for medicines.
Boris Johnson ordered a consultation in 2021 into hiking the qualifying threshold for free prescriptions in England in line with the state pension age in a bid to claw back cash for the NHS.
The controversial proposal would have hit around 2.4 million people - and triggered warnings that people with long term illnesses risked ending up in hospital.
Analysis of the Government’s own ‘impact assessment’ at the time by charity Age UK found 354,000 people would be forced to ration the pills they need.
But the Government has now scrapped the idea to make people over 60 foot the bill following concerns from Tory MPs.
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The Mirror understands that the decision, first reported by i, will be made public within weeks - meaning all over-60s will be reassured of continuing access to NHS prescriptions.
Free prescriptions have been saved for the over 60s (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Under the existing rules, people over 60 avoid paying prescription charges in England, with exemptions also applying to anyone under 16 or teenagers in higher education.
Mr Johnson's Government had wanted to save money by aligning the age for pensions and prescriptions.
But the suggestion sparked fury from pharmacists and campaigners who warned vulnerable older people could be left without the medication that they need.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, told the Mirror: "If it is confirmed that the Government has decided to maintain the right to free prescriptions for 60-65 year olds it's brilliant and important news, as well as a victory for common sense.
"Our worry was that this ending it would have led to significant numbers cutting back their medication, or stopping it altogether, especially if they are on a low income, with disastrous consequences for their health.
"For example, millions of people in this age group take blood pressure tablets and statins to manage risk factors that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
"It's in the national interest that we do everything we can to help the over sixties to stay fit and well as they approach their retirements and, among other things, that means encouraging them to take the medication they've been prescribed.
"Making them pay for it would have been a step in completely the wrong direction at any time, but particularly now, given the cost of living crisis."
NHS prescriptions are free for all ages in Scotland and Wales, but are paid for in England.
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In England, prescription costs will rise by 30p from April 1 from £9.35 to £9.65.
The cost of prescription pre-payment certificates (PPCs) - which cover multiple NHS prescriptions for a set price - will also increase.
A three-month PPC is going up from £30.25 to £31.25, and a 12-month PPC will increase from £108.10 to £111.60.