Prescriptions up by nearly 3m

The number of prescriptions handed out in Wales in the first year of free scripts rose by nearly three million.

There were 62 million items dispensed in 2007/08 compared with 59.1 million the previous year - a 5% rise. The total cost of prescribing medicines increased 1% to £584 million.

More prescriptions are distributed in Wales than any other part of the UK. In the 10 years since 1997/98 the number of prescriptions increased by 59% from 38.9 million.

Critics warned that scrapping the £3 cost of a prescription would put pressure on the NHS drugs budget at a time when new and expensive treatments are becoming available.

Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman Jenny Randerson, who opposed the policy, said: "We warned the Assembly Government that giving free prescriptions for all would be disastrous and today's figures have vindicated our position. Three million extra items claimed in the last year is a direct result of this policy."

For the Tories, shadow health minister Jonathan Morgan said: "It is clear from these figures that the health of Welsh people is not improving.

"The rise in the number of prescriptions issued per person over the last 10 years far exceeds the rise in population."

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Jewell pointed out there was rise in prescriptions for heart drugs, in line with Nice guidance.

He said: "We know that in Wales we have more people with long-term illnesses than England. These figures reflect the fact that more preventative work is being undertaken, with GPs prescribing medicines which are helping people manage their chronic conditions and keeping them out of hospital, reducing the cost and pressure on the NHS.

"The figures also show we are increasing access while reducing costs. The net cost per prescription item decreased from £9.80 to £9.42."

Share this article

Send this article to a friend »

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Reddit
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon

What are these?