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Poots hints at prescription charge re-think

Edwin Poots

Edwin Poots


Published on Tuesday 13 December 2011 08:35

HEALTH minister Edwin Poots has said he is considering launching a public consultation on re-introducing prescription charges in the New Year.

Mr Poots told the Assembly yesterday the extra money would help fund clinically approved drugs for cancer and other debilitating diseases.

Prescription charges were abolished in April 2010 by former Health Minister Michael McGimpsey.

Mr McGimpsey said the free prescription scheme would cost around £13m, but Mr Poots has said the actual cost is much higher at around £30m.

“These drugs will need to be paid for in future years and that is the reality which we face and in this context I’m considering a range of options how this might be done, including the potential reintroduction of some prescription charges,” Mr Poots said. It is understood a new charge could be as low as 50p per item.


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