Should people like me receive ‘free’ prescriptions, even at 60?
Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 13:32 Now I’m 60 I’m told I qualify for various perks.
I’ve no idea what they are (reduced rail fares, perhaps?) because I haven’t bothered to investigate, but this week I discovered one - free prescriptions on the NHS.
If you read about my current attack of gout you’ll know that my GP prescribed a strong anti-inflammatory drug.
When I went to collect it from the dispensary attached to the local surgery I assumed I would have to pay whatever the prescription charge is (£8?).
The last time I collected a prescription - a couple of years ago - I was told the cost had gone up.
“That’s fine,” I said.
A rueful smile crossed the pharmacist’s face. “Most people complain,” she replied.
“That’s ridiculous,” I said. “Cheap at the price.”
Anyway, here I am being given free prescriptions for the rest of my life.
“I feel a bit uncomfortable with this,” I told the pharmacist. “Are you sure I can’t pay?”
“No,” she said brusquely, “you can’t.”
We stared at each other for a second or two but resistance was futile. I knew when I was beaten.
Some people will say, ‘You’ve paid your taxes for 40 years, fill yer boots.’ Others might add, ‘If you feel so strongly pay more tax.’ (Is it possible to pay more tax than you legally owe?)
But that misses the point. Like most people I want to pay less not more tax and I would never pay more tax than I have to because I have zero confidence that the government will spend it wisely or cost-effectively.
Also, while it is true that I have paid taxes for 40 years, it is also the case that, while I am neither rich nor wealthy, as long as I continue to work I can comfortably afford prescription charges, public transport etc etc, so why on earth should the welfare state subsidise people like me when it is already creaking on its hinges?
I’m not ungrateful, I just think it’s madness. The welfare state should prioritise those most in need, not every Tom, Dick and Sally who enjoys a reasonable income.
Free prescription charges, in my view, should be restricted to children and students, the unemployed, the low paid and those who have retired. To that list add the long-term sick and those who need life-saving drugs.
The rest of us should cough up (no pun intended) for as long as we can afford to. Is that unreasonable?
Anyway, when I get a moment I’ll make a list of the alleged benefits of being 60.
As the pharmacist said, when she pointed out my age and said I didn’t have to pay for my prescription, “Everything has a silver lining.”
Reader Comments (3)
Hoorah! At last! I am also just turned 60. I'm loving the cheaper rail fare which makes my commute to work cheaper, which is a bit of compensation for the 6 years longer I have to work before retiring, and I hope I can have a buss pass too. I am also looking forward to the free prescriptions and finally getting back a tiny bit of something for all the years I have paid tax and NI.
Next time, just don't sign the back, lie about your age and pay £8 if you want to. With regards to the gout, my husband decided against taking the medication regularly because of the potentially harmful side effects.
Considering the amount of money I've invested in tobacco and alcohol over the years, should I ever reach the age of 60, I'll be filling more than just my boots.
"Is it possible to pay more tax than you legally owe?"
Yup. https://www.dmo.gov.uk/responsibilities/public-sector-funds-crnd/miscellaneous-accounts/donations-and-bequests-account/
Not that they do a lot of business.