Free prescriptions in Scotland under threat according to report

29 July 2010

The Independent Budget Review report for Scotland was published today, which could have major implications for people with Parkinson's in Scotland.

The report said there should be "no overriding presumption of protection for any of the major services" – including the health service.

It recommended ongoing cuts to public spending of at least 2% each year, and also to reduce the public sector workforce by up to 10% by 2015.

The review panel was created in February to inform the debate on Scottish public sector spending.

Concern over prescription charge proposals

We are particularly concerned by proposals to retain prescription charges in Scotland. If this were the case, many people with Parkinson's in Scotland will have to pay for their essential Parkinson's drugs. Many people take multiple medications several times a day.

Tanith Muller, our Campaigns Officer in Scotland said:

"We told the panel that people with long-term conditions like Parkinson's should not have to pay for their prescriptions. They even acknowledged this in their report, but still recommend that charges should be retained.

“The current list of exemptions is arbitrary and unfair, and we believe that people with long-term conditions should not have to pay for their medicines.

"If the Government retains prescription charges, ministers must ensure that people with long-term conditions do not bear the cost."

Free personal and nursing care also an issue

Free personal and nursing care is also a huge issue for people with Parkinson's that could be affected by the report's recommendations. The policy has helped people with Parkinson's to stay in their own homes for longer and has helped carers to carry on caring.

We think abolishing free personal and nursing care could be a false economy. If people are deterred from buying care because of cost, they are more likely to be admitted to hospital as an emergency, driving high costs in the NHS.

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