Welsh to get English prescriptions refunds

Patients from Wales charged for prescriptions at hospitals in England after having treatment will be able to get a refund, it has been announced.

At present, patients who have prescriptions from English hospital pharmacies have to pay for medicines at the English rate of £7.20, if they are not exempt due to age or medical condition.

But Edwina Hart, Welsh Assembly health minister, said today amendments will be made to the free prescriptions legislation so that Welsh patients treated in England can reclaim the cost of their prescriptions.

In addition, the legislation will be amended to reflect the change in England that entitles cancer sufferers access to free prescriptions.

Mrs Hart said: "The majority of Welsh patients who live near the border and receive treatment in England benefit from free prescriptions because they use their entitlement card when they visit a pharmacy in Wales.

"However, there are still some patients who will need to have a prescription dispensed in England and therefore do not receive free prescriptions, unless they are exempt under the regulations in England.

"It is unreasonable for Welsh patients who have no choice but to receive their hospital care in England to have to pay for prescriptions."

She added: "Evidence suggests about 200 people will benefit every year."

Glyn Davies, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Montgomeryshire, said he was pleased to hear the news.

He said: "Free prescriptions are a complicated issue, but I feel she has done the right thing here."