NHS prescriptions ‘should be free for everyone’ as people are ‘scared to go to the doctor’ | Personal Finance | Finance

Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said: “Fortunately it’s not too late for the Government to change its mind.

“We are urging the Secretary of State to drop a bad idea which flies in the face of other Government priorities, one which was developed before he joined the Department.”

Campaigners are reminding people that they can make savings by investing in a Prepayment Certificate (PPC) which costs £108.10 for the year.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Around 90 percent of community prescription items in England are free of charge, and people don’t pay if they are on a low income, over 60, or have certain medical conditions.

“The upper age exemption has not changed since 1995 and that is why we have consulted on restoring the link between this and the state pension age.

“We are considering the responses carefully and will respond in due course.”