A radical shake up in prescribing medicine could mean some of the borough’s sickest residents are forced to pay more for drugs – reports the Wimbledon Guardian.
Since January, doctor’s surgeries in Sutton and Merton have been encouraged by the primary care trust (PCT) to prescribe regular medication to last for 28 days at a time.
This could result in some patients on regular medication having to fork out a prescription charge of £6.65 every month, rather than paying the same charge for a longer-lasting supply.
Geoff Martin, head of campaigns for pressure group Health Emergency and a Unison official said: "It sounds to me like the PCT is using this as an opportunity to claw back more money and will hit some people very hard in the pocket.
One Merton resident, who did not wish to be named, used to pay £13.30 for a six-month supply of two types of drugs she has taken regularly since having cancer.
She is furious about the new regime, now facing a £159.60 a annual bill, saying: "I may have to do without one of the drugs now, if I can’t afford it."
- Article contributed by: R.A. C-H, Wimbledon
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