Economy

Plans to end free NHS prescriptions for over 60s ‘not going ahead,

Plans to end free NHS prescriptions for over 60s will not be going ahead, after the government announced that it will continue to offer free medication to those aged 60 and over.

The news follows a review into the cost of free prescriptions for older people, which was launched in April last year. The review had suggested that the government consider scrapping the free prescriptions for those aged over 60, in order to save money.

However, following a public consultation, the government has now decided to keep the free NHS prescriptions for those aged 60 and over. The Department of Health and Social Care said that they had listened to the concerns of patients, and had “decided to maintain the existing policy, so that those aged 60 and over can continue to get free prescriptions.”

The decision has been welcomed by campaigners, who argued that any move to end free prescriptions for the over 60s would have had a negative impact on the elderly, who are often on tight budgets.

In a statement, the Department of Health and Social Care said: “We understand that many older people are on a limited income, and so we are committed to ensuring that they are able to access the medicines they need without having to worry about the cost.”

The government plans to review the cost of prescriptions for all age groups next year. It has also said it will continue to look at ways to make the NHS more efficient and to reduce the cost of medicines.

The news will be welcomed by the millions of people in the UK aged 60 and over who rely on free prescriptions in order to stay healthy.