This surely is the time to look at prescription charges and eligibility of free charges. This would affect a relatively small number of people. No increase in the charge, but link free prescriptions to retirement age, not from 60, Changed over a 5 year period. Plus people, such as my wife (and yes she does agree with this!) who have medical complaints that require lifetime medication continue to get these free, but anything not related to their complaint is paid for. Why should my wife get antibiotics free for a ingrowing toenail that has become infected, but has no connection to her thyroid complaint? This could be indicated by a small box by each medication as to whether it is related to the main complaint which could be highlighted by the doctor on the prescription request. This would cost virtually nothing to implement,but would save millions which could then be used to fund the NHS, this is fair, and I doubt many would complain about it. Those eligible for for free prescriptions under other rulings would continue. As we are all retiring later this makes perfect sense.
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