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.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Students press case for free prescriptions
Scotsman: "SCOTTISH students have renewed their campaign to scrap prescription charges for those in full-time education.
The National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland said it had recently met Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen and Health Minister Andy Kerr to press the issue.
The NUS has long argued students should be exempt from the £6.50 per item charges.
But the organisation has not taken a position for or against the Bill being promoted in the Scottish Parliament by Scottish Socialist Party leader and Lothians MSP Colin Fox to abolish prescription charges altogether.
NUS Scotland president Melanie Ward said: 'Many students find that they have to forego other essential items in order to pay the cost of a prescription.
'Students are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet and they are forced into high levels of debt. We are calling for the Scottish Executive to make students exempt from prescription charges, recognising that essential services, such as access to healthcare, should be provided free of charge as part of the government support package.'"
