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Over 90% of prescriptions are free, because they're prescribed to exempt groups (children, the elderly, people on benefits). It's a slightly peculiar system tha
by jdietrich 8y ago
Over 90% of prescriptions are free, because they're prescribed to exempt groups (children, the elderly, people on benefits). It's a slightly peculiar system that doesn't make a huge amount of sense.
https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/prescription-charge-overhaul-would-raise-1bn-a-year-for-nhs-says-think-tank/20066348.article https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/pre...
- bodas 8y agoPerhaps they could go with a Humble Bundle style "pay what you want" model :) I would happily pay more.
- HarryHirsch 8y agoAnother exempt group is the chronically ill - if have diabetes or thyroid disease or anything else that requires regular medication you don't pay. It's clear that most prescriptions are written for this group.
- pdpi 8y agoThe alternative conclusion is that it’s fulfilling its purpose as a deterrent against abusing prescription medication
- the_mitsuhiko 8y agoIn Austria it's harder to get exempt. If you rack up 2% of your net income in those charges you can apply for exemption. 80% of Austrians never have been exempt, only 4% sometimes hit the cap and about 12% get an exemption due to specific illnesses which are costly. I have seen the system here and some of the effects that come out of it are interesting. Because if the cost of a drug falls below the "recipe fee" it bypasses the insurance and is directly charged there is a mysterious amount of drugs close or below the recipe fee.