21 January 2010
Immediate release

SNP AND TORIES FAIL CANCER PATIENTS ON PRESCRIPTIONS

Dumfries MSP Elaine Murray has said it’s “unacceptable” that while cancer patients in England and Wales are getting free prescriptions now, the SNP have ditched their promise to do likewise.

Cancer patients in Scotland will continue to be charged for prescriptions until 2011 whereas they have been free for patients in England and Wales since last year. According to the Department of Health up to 150,000 patients in England are benefiting.

In a debate taking place in the Scottish Parliament today (Thursday 21 January) the Tories are attempting to prevent cancer patients ever receiving free prescriptions in Scotland. Labour will be pushing for the charges to be abolished for cancer patients immediately.

Elaine Murray said: “It is simply unacceptable that patients suffering from a debilitating long-term illness have to pay for prescriptions in Scotland when they are free in other parts of the UK. “In England this commitment is being funded by reducing the cost of the drugs bill in the NHS by bulk-buying and the use of cheaper generic products.”

In their 2007 manifesto the SNP promised to immediately abolish prescription charges for people with cancer but this has been delayed until 2011.

Elaine Murray said: “Yet another broken promise, yet more people who feel let down by the SNP. They promised to immediately remove prescription charges for cancer patients, but ditched the policy once they got into power.

“Labour is calling on the SNP to simply do as they promised and immediately remove prescription charges for those suffering from cancer.”

The Conservative party is introducing a motion to the Scottish Parliament to stop further reductions in prescription charges as well as prevent any attempt to immediately abolish prescription charges for cancer patients.

Dr Murray added: “The SNP’s delay is bad enough but it’s despicable that the Tories would totally scrap plans for free prescriptions for cancer patients. “We have a duty to look after those suffering from cancer and remove the additional worry of the cost of drugs. England is doing this now, the SNP need to do the same for Scotland.”