Prescriptions up by 10p in Scotland

Prescription costs will increase

Prescription charges in Scotland will rise by 10p for the fourth year in a row, Scottish Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm has announced.

The charges will rise to £6.20 from 1 April this year.

Mr Chisholm also announced that the Scottish Executive has reached an agreement to allow chemist shops to sell pre-payment certificates (PPCs) for prescriptions directly to patients.

Previously, PPCs had only been available by post.

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm: "More accessible"

By making them available over-the-counter, the Scottish Executive aims to make them more accessible for patients.

Responding to a parliamentary question, Mr Chisholm said: "For the fourth year in a row, the prescription charge increase has been held at 10p, which at 1.64% is the lowest rate of increase in more than 20 years."

He said that almost 90% of all prescription items in Scotland were dispensed free of charge.

"For those who do pay for prescriptions, we are committed to ensuring that increases in charges are no more than the rate of inflation," he said.

The cost of prescription prepayment certificates will rise from £31.90 to £32.40 (1.57%) for a four month certificate and from £87.60 to £89.00 (1.60%) for an annual certificate.