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Prescription costs frozen in NI | Prescription costs frozen in NI |
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The cost of prescriptions in Northern Ireland is being frozen. | The cost of prescriptions in Northern Ireland is being frozen. |
Prescription costs used to be linked to England, where medication now costs £7.10. Instead prescriptions will still cost £6.85 in Northern Ireland. | Prescription costs used to be linked to England, where medication now costs £7.10. Instead prescriptions will still cost £6.85 in Northern Ireland. |
The move was announced by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. He said he was considering a range of options for the future of prescription charges. | The move was announced by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. He said he was considering a range of options for the future of prescription charges. |
Carmel Hanna, who is on the assembly's health committee, said there should be free prescriptions in Northern Ireland. | |
The SDLP's Ms Hanna said: "I'm sure the department is doing the costing and the comparisons because there's a lot of money spent on administration. | |
"They might be better actually looking at reducing prescribing altogether, especially antibiotics and looking at using all generic medication and saving money." | |
Scotland has reduced the cost to £5, the first of several price drops leading to free prescriptions in 2011. | Scotland has reduced the cost to £5, the first of several price drops leading to free prescriptions in 2011. |
Wales introduced free prescriptions for all in April 2007. | Wales introduced free prescriptions for all in April 2007. |
Mr McGimpsey said: "Last year, I requested a review into the abolition of prescription charges in Northern Ireland. | Mr McGimpsey said: "Last year, I requested a review into the abolition of prescription charges in Northern Ireland. |
"I have now received the report from the review group, and am currently considering a range of options for the future of prescription charges. | "I have now received the report from the review group, and am currently considering a range of options for the future of prescription charges. |
"In the interim, I can reasure the public that I have frozen prescription charges and there will be no increase at this time. | "In the interim, I can reasure the public that I have frozen prescription charges and there will be no increase at this time. |
"It is vital that those who need medication aren't compelled to pay higher costs; an increase in prescription charges could deter some people from having their prescriptions dispensed, either in part or entirely." | "It is vital that those who need medication aren't compelled to pay higher costs; an increase in prescription charges could deter some people from having their prescriptions dispensed, either in part or entirely." |