Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, today spoke in the Scottish Parliament in support of plans to abolish all prescription charges by April next year. This was in the face of a Conservative party motion which would see the abolition of prescription charges halted.

In his speech, Dr Allan remarked:

"The Conservative party apparently still don’t appreciate the central and fundamental aim behind a National Health Service. The NHS exists to treat all those who ask for assistance, irrespective of their ability to pay, whether that be for healthcare or for prescriptions and medication.

"A significant number of people with chronic conditions still continue to pay for medication, a problem that particularly affects people who need multiple prescriptions.

"In the Western Isles 2,623 prescription pre-payment certificates were purchased in 2008-9. Given the small population, that is a huge number of people still having to pay for essential medication.

"It is also estimated that around 600,000 adults in Scotland living in families with an annual income of less than £16,000 will benefit from the abolition of prescription charges.

"Overwhelmingly, these are ordinary Scots working to earn a living.　 If there is any suggestion – and there is – that some families in this situation are deterred from buying what their doctor has prescribed them, then how can we say we are serious about improving Scotland’s health?

"While Labour and the Conservatives vie with each other over who can cut most from Scotland’s budget, the Scottish Government will get on with making healthcare free at the point of need."