> >I think one of the problems with the current system is that if you
> >fall into one of the medical catergories for free prescriptions, then
> >all your prescriptions are free.
It's always good to see intelligent debate about these. However,
the inaction of successive governments (and of governments
worldwide) is that no-one can put forward a less worse solution.
Part of the rationale for exempting certain groups of patients from
charges (rather than individual drugs) was that e.g., those with
asthma or diabetes require treatment, such as antibiotics, for
problems relating directly to their underlying condition. The
question then is, how many chronic medical conditions
requiring drug treatment (i.e., most of them) are you going to exempt
from charges. If people with asthma or diabetes are exempt, why not
those with hypertension or Parkinson's disease ?. The more
inconsistencies there are, the more difficult it becomes to argue
against either no charge or a small universal charge.
Mark Campbell
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|