Brits are having to choose between paying for prescriptions and eating
As the cost of living crisis continues to affect households across the region, many are being forced to choose between paying for prescriptions and putting food on the table, medics have warned.
Mike Hewitson, a pharmacist from Somerset, told The Sun that some of his patients are having to “choose between treatment or eating.”
“And it’s not just patients on benefits,” he explained.
The pharmacist has also seen youngsters people try and return medicines.
“Younger people are having to pay higher rents are also struggling to make ends meet.”
In some cases, a number of pharmacists have started covering the cost of prescriptions for their patients.
Ade Williams, a pharmacist from Bristol said: “It breaks the heart of many pharmacists knowing and seeing people not able to pay for their prescriptions.
“Many of us sometimes pay out of our pockets for them without even letting them knowing.”
Medicines people are choosing not to take to save money include antibiotics, painkillers, asthma inhalers, blood pressure medication and antidepressants.
In a letter, sent to the new chancellor, GPs from St Helens, Merseyside called on the Government “increase the number of people eligible for free prescriptions“.
Those who are not entitled to free prescriptions currently have to pay £9.35.
