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12/09/2012
Prescription Charges 'Could Come Back In To Fund Specialist Drugs'
Health Minister Edwin Poots is considering plans to bring prescription charges back in Northern Ireland for some specialist drugs.
The charges were abolished here in April 2010 under Michael McGimpsey, the former health minister.
But Mr Poots has been considering bringing them back in for some time, and has now said the charges could be linked to a fund for specialist drugs, many of which are expensive.
He said there might be a "very small" prescription charge for everyone, or a "slightly larger" one that would apply to about 11% of people.
Mr Poots said: "Currently we have a whole series of drugs that I would like to buy, be it for cancer sufferers, be it for people with arthritis or psoriasis.. We do have to look at how we pay for these drugs. Currently we pay half a billion pounds per year on our drugs bill - I can't really afford to be putting more money to drugs as things currently stand."
Mr Poots said that if he is satisfied after reading the document making the suggestions, he will bring it to the attention of his colleagues on the Executive.
Any changes would be subject to public consultation.
(NE)
The charges were abolished here in April 2010 under Michael McGimpsey, the former health minister.
But Mr Poots has been considering bringing them back in for some time, and has now said the charges could be linked to a fund for specialist drugs, many of which are expensive.
He said there might be a "very small" prescription charge for everyone, or a "slightly larger" one that would apply to about 11% of people.
Mr Poots said: "Currently we have a whole series of drugs that I would like to buy, be it for cancer sufferers, be it for people with arthritis or psoriasis.. We do have to look at how we pay for these drugs. Currently we pay half a billion pounds per year on our drugs bill - I can't really afford to be putting more money to drugs as things currently stand."
Mr Poots said that if he is satisfied after reading the document making the suggestions, he will bring it to the attention of his colleagues on the Executive.
Any changes would be subject to public consultation.
(NE)
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