O ystyried bod nifer y presgripsiynau yng Nghymru wedi cynyddu 17.9 miliwn ers 2007-08, a wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet gynnal adolygiad o bresgripsiynau am ddim i bawb gyda'r nod o gyflwyno tâl canrannol ar gyfer y rheini sy'n gallu fforddio talu?
I will not be undertaking a review of this policy. Providing people with the medication they need helps to keep them well and out of hospital, thereby reducing the overall cost to the NHS. Our decision to abolish prescription charges was based on evidence which showed some people with serious chronic conditions could not afford to collect their prescriptions, and some would choose to have only part of a prescription to reduce the amount of prescription charges they had to pay.
Reintroducing prescription charges would require the development of a whole new monitoring system. The costs associated with maintaining that system and safeguarding against misuse would significantly reduce any potential income derived from reintroducing a charge.
Prescribers are aware of the need to review their patients’ medication and to change the nature and number of medicines prescribed to ensure the best outcomes for their patients.
I note that between 2007 and 2017, the number of prescriptions items dispensed in England has increased by 309.5 million, which is a 39% increase compared to a 29% increase (18.3 million items) in Wales over the same period.
According to a report by the Prescription Charges Coalition, around 90% of prescriptions in England are dispensed free of charge; working-age people with long-term conditions pay for the majority of the rest.
It is also worth noting that the net ingredient cost (NIC) of prescriptions in Wales has decreased by £12.2 million (2%) since 2007. This is not adjusted for inflation and will include savings from more generic medicines being available in recent years. The NIC in England has risen by almost £795 million (9%).