Prescription charges

Drugs only available on prescription are vital in our fight against heart disease. They can prevent people from developing heart disease and support heart patients in managing their condition. Everyone should have access to the drugs that they need, when they need them.

All prescriptions are free of charge in Wales and Northern Ireland. Prescriptions charges will also be free in Scotland from April 2011. This is fantastic news. But we want to see prescriptions charges removed for heart patients in England too.

Having to pay for medication may put some people off taking the drugs they need to manage their condition or to reduce their risk of heart disease.

Essential and lifesaving drugs should be made available to everyone who needs them. We have been campaigning for free prescriptions for heart patients in England, and for preventative treatments like statins and antihypertensive drugs to be included too.

If you're struggling to pay your prescription charges then you may be able to get help through a system called Prescription Pre-payment Certificate. For further information about this and other financial help you may be entitled to, see our factsheet on Benefits and Financial Aid.

For more information please our policy statement on prescription charges or email us at policy@bhf.org.uk