Aberdeenshire MSP welcomes 14 years of free prescriptions
More than 10 million free prescriptions have been delivered in NHS Grampian since the policy was introduced by the Scottish Government 14 years ago, new figures have revealed.
The policy saves households an estimated £400 per year.
In NHS Grampian, 10.6 million free prescriptions were dispensed in 2023/4.
And the latest figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) show that more than 113 million prescriptions, 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 per cent of working households receiving Universal Credit have gone without essentials such as prescription medication due to the costs involved.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin said: “The Scottish Government is proud to have abolished prescription charges across the country, ensuring that everyone in NHS Grampian has access to the medication they require based on their needs rather than the ability to pay.
“The Scottish Government believe that healthcare should be free at the point of use for everyone.
“In the face of soaring energy bills, despite Labour’s promise to bring them down, people in Aberdeenshire 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.”
