Prescription charges rise 10 pence

NHS prescription charges will rise by ten pence from 1 April, taking the charge for a singe prescription item to £6.50.

Pre-payment prescription certificates will rise 50 pence to £33.90 for a four month certificate, and rise £1.40 to £93.20 for a 12 month certificate.

Prescription charges are expected to raise around £452 million for the NHS in 2005-06.

Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: “We have held the increase to 10 pence for the seventh consecutive year, well below the rate of inflation to ensure that people can get the prescriptions they need, at prices they can afford. Through our extensive exemption arrangements, 86 per cent of prescription items are dispensed free, with another five per cent dispensed to people with prepayment certificates at no additional charge.”