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| Row over 'Bonjela prescriptions' | Row over 'Bonjela prescriptions' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A row has flared over GPs in Wales prescribing over-the-counter medicines such as Bonjela and Vaseline. | A row has flared over GPs in Wales prescribing over-the-counter medicines such as Bonjela and Vaseline. |
| Conservatives said they had feared the system would be "abused" when prescription fees were abolished. | |
| Tory Jonathan Morgan said people would be astonished that GPs were prescribing items that could be easily bought. | Tory Jonathan Morgan said people would be astonished that GPs were prescribing items that could be easily bought. |
| But chemists pointed out it went on before charges were scrapped, and the Welsh Assembly Government said GPs had discretion to prescribe how they liked. | But chemists pointed out it went on before charges were scrapped, and the Welsh Assembly Government said GPs had discretion to prescribe how they liked. |
| The £3 prescription charge in Wales was abolished on 1 April by the assembly government. | The £3 prescription charge in Wales was abolished on 1 April by the assembly government. |
| Prescriptions should be used for the drugs patients need to combat viruses or nasty illnesses Jonathan Morgan AM, Conservative | Prescriptions should be used for the drugs patients need to combat viruses or nasty illnesses Jonathan Morgan AM, Conservative |
| Before free prescriptions, 90% were dispensed to people who did not have to pay, according to the Community Pharmacy Wales, which represents chemists. | |
| It said there had been an increase in prescriptions for April, but the data was "unreliable as a single figure". | It said there had been an increase in prescriptions for April, but the data was "unreliable as a single figure". |
| However, Tory health spokesman Mr Morgan said prescribing everyday medicines "was exactly the sort of abuse we warned against when charges were abolished". | However, Tory health spokesman Mr Morgan said prescribing everyday medicines "was exactly the sort of abuse we warned against when charges were abolished". |
| The Cardiff North AM said: "There is no reason why doctors should be prescribing something like Bonjela [for mouth ailments such as ulcers] or Vaseline when it is readily available over-the-counter. | The Cardiff North AM said: "There is no reason why doctors should be prescribing something like Bonjela [for mouth ailments such as ulcers] or Vaseline when it is readily available over-the-counter. |
| "Prescriptions should be used for the drugs patients need to combat viruses or nasty illnesses." | "Prescriptions should be used for the drugs patients need to combat viruses or nasty illnesses." |
| The Western Mail newspaper claimed that other medicines prescribed included heartburn drug Gaviscon, and child pain-relievers Calpol and Nurofen. | The Western Mail newspaper claimed that other medicines prescribed included heartburn drug Gaviscon, and child pain-relievers Calpol and Nurofen. |
| Mr Morgan said the policy had to be "properly monitored, levels of medicines wastage assessed, and patients made aware of their responsibilities." | Mr Morgan said the policy had to be "properly monitored, levels of medicines wastage assessed, and patients made aware of their responsibilities." |
| If you're in the workplace earning £30 an hour, you're not going to take time off to get a 99p bottle of paracetamol Dr David Bailey | If you're in the workplace earning £30 an hour, you're not going to take time off to get a 99p bottle of paracetamol Dr David Bailey |
| David Bailey, chairman of the BMA's GP committee for Wales, said he did not believe abolition of charges would see an increase in GPs prescribing such items. | |
| 'Low users' | 'Low users' |
| He said most people - including those on low incomes and children - had already been eligible for free prescriptions before April. | He said most people - including those on low incomes and children - had already been eligible for free prescriptions before April. |
| Dr Bailey said those who now have free prescriptions were between 25-60, usually with reasonable incomes, and traditionally low users of the NHS. | Dr Bailey said those who now have free prescriptions were between 25-60, usually with reasonable incomes, and traditionally low users of the NHS. |
| He said they were unlikely to visit their GPs and wait in a waiting room for something they could easily buy over the counter. | He said they were unlikely to visit their GPs and wait in a waiting room for something they could easily buy over the counter. |
| "If you're in the workplace earning £30 an hour, you're not going to take time off to get a 99p bottle of paracetamol," he said. | "If you're in the workplace earning £30 an hour, you're not going to take time off to get a 99p bottle of paracetamol," he said. |
| The Board of Community Health Councils in Wales said abolishing charges had removed "unfairness" and ensured anyone needing medication would get it. | The Board of Community Health Councils in Wales said abolishing charges had removed "unfairness" and ensured anyone needing medication would get it. |
| It said: "It must be remembered that the majority of individuals between the ages of 25 and 60 are, fortunately, fit and healthy, visit their doctor infrequently." | It said: "It must be remembered that the majority of individuals between the ages of 25 and 60 are, fortunately, fit and healthy, visit their doctor infrequently." |
| It said their impact on free prescriptions would be "minimal". | It said their impact on free prescriptions would be "minimal". |
| The Welsh Assembly Government said it was too early to assess if prescribing patterns had changed, but when evidence was available it would be assessed. | The Welsh Assembly Government said it was too early to assess if prescribing patterns had changed, but when evidence was available it would be assessed. |
| A spokesman said: "GPs have always been able to prescribe drugs which are available over the counter and will use their clinical judgement as to when this is necessary. | A spokesman said: "GPs have always been able to prescribe drugs which are available over the counter and will use their clinical judgement as to when this is necessary. |
| "The introduction of free prescriptions has not affected this GP discretion in any way." | "The introduction of free prescriptions has not affected this GP discretion in any way." |