RPS English Pharmacy Board Chair Thorrun Govind has signed a letter calling for the retention of free prescriptions for patients aged 60 to 66.
It comes after the Government announced people in this age category would no longer be exempt from prescription charges.
The letter, which is addressed to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, has been signed by 25 organisations from across Great Britain, including Age UK.
It states that the charges would put ‘new barriers in the way of 60 to 65 year olds with lower incomes taking the medication they need to manage their conditions in the meantime.’
Thorrun Govind said: “The proposal to raise the age at which people can access free prescriptions from 60 to 66 means that many more people will be affected by this tax on the sick at exactly the time at which they may be needing more medicines.
“It is unacceptable to raise the cost of prescriptions in the current economic situation when many have been disadvantaged by the pandemic. Such proposals will only further drive the health inequalities that have been highlighted by Covid-19.
“RPS would like to see the complete abolishment of prescription charges in England, whatever the age group, as is the case in Scotland and Wales.”
Comments by Thorrun have also featured in the i Newspaper, The Telegraph, The Guardian and on BBC Radio, as well as the Daily Express front page on September 2.
Read the full letter here.