SCRAP Prescription Charges
The weblog of the Scottish Campaign to Remove All Prescription Charges. Keeping you updated on all the news about Colin Fox MSP's bill to the Scottish Parliament.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Parliament Rejects Scrapping Charges
You can find the official parliament report of the debate on the Scottish Parliament Website.
Herald Report
The Herald Editorial
If it's broke, fix it. That would be a useful adage to apply to the prescription charge regime in Scotland. It is outdated, anomalous, unfair and crying out for reform. MSPs had the chance yesterday to do something bold about it when the bill promoted by Colin Fox, the Scottish Socialist Party leader, to abolish these charges came before the Scottish Parliament. In the event, they voted by a large majority (77 to 40 with one abstention) against the really radical solution. The vote pleased Scottish Executive ministers, who argued that universal free prescriptions would cost the NHS many millions of pounds a year to benefit the better-off, who can afford to pay the charge.
