I had somehow forgotten that only in England do we pay for prescriptions. This seems unfair to me. I wonder why they can’t be free everywhere. It might certainly have an impact on reducing rural health inequalities. This story tells us:
NHS prescription charges in England are to be frozen for the first time in 12 years, the government has confirmed.
Single prescription charges, which the Department of Health said would normally rise "in line with inflation", will remain at £9.35 until next year.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said freezing the costs would "put money back in people's pockets".
Campaigners welcomed the move but pointed out that 90% of prescriptions dispensed are already free of charge.
People eligible for free prescriptions include those on state benefits, pregnant women and new mothers, people with specified medical conditions or disabilities, the over-60s and under-16s.
Prescriptions are free for everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.