Health charities, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the British Geriatrics Society joined together to issue an open letter, urging the Government to rethink its proposal to raise the qualifying age for free prescriptions in England from 60 to 66.
The letter highlighted their “deep shared concern” that scrapping free prescription charges for 60 to 65 year-olds is likely to intensify existing health inequalities and have a devastating impact on older people’s health.
Age UK detailed: “With many older people already struggling to meet basic living costs, this additional levy on poor health could prevent them from managing their health conditions, especially if they are on a modest income but still above the benefits line.
“The letter continues by highlighting how the Government’s proposal will have a lasting adverse impact on the half (52 percent) of 60-64yr olds with one or more long term conditions. While some patients will find the change affordable, significant numbers will not. The DHSC impact analysis highlights that these…