NHS prescription costs hit 10 billion pounds

Increases in the number of prescriptions on the health service has resulted in the annual cost now exceeding 10 billion pounds.

Reports claim that the cost of drugs prescribed by GPs have increased by 27 per cent over the past half-decade, with analysts blaming over-prescription of medication by general practitioners, in addition to aggressive marketing from pharmaceutical companies.

Following research from the Conservative Party putting the cost for wasted and unused drugs at over one billion pounds, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley has said that only drugs that are “really needed” should be prescribed by GPs.

Richard Taylor, a GP and MP for Kidderminster, said: “People now think it is better to take a pill than do something themselves about their own health.”

Citing obesity as an example, Dr Taylor called for improved eating and exercise from consumers, rather than the easy prescription of obesity treatments.

Responding to these reports, a spokesperson from the Department of Health claimed the increasing number of prescriptions is attributable to advances in medical technology, meaning a greater number of diseases can now be treated.

In March 2007, the government launched two consultations on proposals to enable nurses and pharmacists to prescribe certain medications in order to boost the flexibility of the health service.