The Health Minister was speaking on a private members motion calling on him to establish a cost and benefit review for the purpose of abolishing health prescription charges as has been carried out in Wales.
Replying to the motion Mr McGimpsey said,
“This motion is entirely in keeping with my commitment, and already stated determination to see the flawed system, where some of our people pay for prescriptions reviewed and changed. It is clear that the people of Northern Ireland see shortcomings in the current system and want it addressed.
“Currently each item on a prescription costs £6.85 unless of course a patient is entitled to free prescriptions. Many people have more than one item on their prescription – some have as many as half a dozen or more. One prescription with just four items on it will cost you over £27. And many people need to get repeat prescriptions, month after month, which will leave them with significant bills for necessary medication.
“I believe that says a lot about a system which is supposed to be free at the point of use.
Outlining his thoughts on some of the inequalities of the current system the Minister said we must have a rational and robust explanation why one person is exempt and another is not – why one person’s suffering has a greater priority than another’s.
“Why is a prescription issued by a hospital consultant free, when the same prescription, written by a GP for the same illness, indeed for the same person, attracts a charge? And why do we charge a 59 year old who may have a serious illness, yet a 50 year old with a different illness who may be better off may get their prescriptions free?
“The current system cannot be the best system. We need to change it.
Giving details on the way forward Michael McGimpsey said,
“I feel that the time is right for Northern Ireland to look at arrangements locally for prescription charging. My officials will establish a review to inform a way forward on the current flawed system of prescription charges.
“It is my intention that the review group should include pharmacists, doctors and, most importantly, patient representatives. I will be asking the review group to report back to me with options and recommendations by the end of this business year.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
- The private members motion was brought by Mr Kieran McCarthy and Dr Kieran Deeny: “ That this Assembly calls upon the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to establish a cost and benefit review for the purpose of abolishing health prescription charges as has been carried out in Wales”.
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