AQO 358/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 05/03/2020
Answered On Date: 18/03/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether he plans to reintroduce prescription charges.

Answer:

Charges for prescriptions were abolished in Northern Ireland in April 2010 with the aim of removing the financial barrier to people requiring medicines, to improve health outcomes and to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

I have no current plans to re-introduce prescription charges. Any proposals for the re-introduction of prescription charges would require public consultation and approval by the Executive as it is a cross-cutting issue.

In the meantime, it is important that patients only order repeat prescriptions for medicines that they need to minimise any potential waste.