9,172,880 PRESCRIPTIONS DISPENSED BY NHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN LAST YEAR – SAVING HOUSEHOLDS AN AVERAGE OF OVER £400
On the 14th anniversary of prescription charges being scrapped by the SNP Scottish Government, Ruth Maguire MSP has highlighted that the policy saves the average household in Scotland over £400 a year.
Latest figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) show that over 113 million prescriptions, including 9,172,880 by NHS Ayrshire and Arran, were dispensed in Scotland in 2023/24 – meaning that on average people in Scotland received 20.8 prescriptions.
This means that based on the £9.90 charge currently in place in England, the average household in Scotland saved £436.72 in 2023/24 because of the policy.
A report by Trussell Trust last year showed that in England, 68% of working households receiving Universal Credit have gone without essentials such as prescription medication due to the costs involved.
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire said:
“The SNP is proud to have abolished prescription charges in Scotland, ensuring that everyone in North Ayrshire has access to the medication they require based on their needs rather than the ability to pay.
“The SNP believe that healthcare should be free at the point of use for everyone. The prescription charges were nothing more than a tax on ill health.
“In the face of soaring energy bills, people in North Ayrshire are still living through a cost-of-living crisis – making it more important than ever that they can access the medical treatment they need without worrying about the cost.
”Only the SNP can be trusted to put the people of North Ayrshire first and protect them from having to pay for their vital medication.”
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 