Commenting on the promise to abolish prescription charges for cancer
patients, the Chair of the English Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical
Society of Great Britain, Beth Taylor said:
"This is good news for those affected by cancer. It is unfair for cancer
patients to have to deal with the added financial burden of prescription
charges and we see at first hand the anguish that this can cause.
"However, Gordon Brown's commitment to abolish charges for all patients
with long-term conditions is conditional on the NHS generating cash savings
from the drugs budget. This may not be as easy as he thinks and we do not
think his promise should be conditional. Patients should not have to pay if
the NHS fails to deliver savings in the drugs budget."
About the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
- The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) is
the professional and regulatory body for pharmacists in England, Scotland
and Wales. It also regulates pharmacy technicians on a voluntary basis,
which is expected to become statutory under anticipated legislation. The
primary objectives of the RPSGB are to lead, regulate, develop and
represent the profession of pharmacy.
- The RPSGB leads and supports the development of the profession
within the context of the public benefit. This includes the advancement
of science, practice, education and knowledge in pharmacy. In addition,
it promotes the profession's policies and views to a range of external
stakeholders in a number of different forums.
- Following the publication in 2007 of the Government White Paper
Trust, Assurance and Safety - The Regulation of Health Professionals in
the 21st Century, the RPSGB is working towards the demerger of its
regulatory and professional roles. This will see the establishment of a
new General Pharmaceutical Council and a new professional body for
pharmacy in 2010.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain