Study finds impact of free prescriptions on dispensing rates minimal

The overall impact of free prescriptions on dispensing rates in Wales has been minimal according to research conducted by academics at the University of Glamorgan in collaboration with colleagues at Cardiff and Bangor Universities.

Phased reductions of prescription charges started in Wales in October 2004 and were abolished in April 2007. The study carried out by Professor David Cohen and his team in the Health Economics and Policy Research Unit, compared changes in monthly dispensing rates before and after abolition of the prescription charge in Wales with those in the region of England (North East) which most closely resembles Wales in terms of health and socioeconomic status and where the charge is still in force.  Overall dispensing rates went up in both areas over this period but the increase in Wales was slightly less than in the comparator region.

Given that most prescribed medicines were dispensed to people who were already exempt from the charge prior to its abolition, the research team did a separate analysis which focused the 14 medicines with the highest proportion of items dispensed subject to the charge prior to abolition.  Results showed a greater increase in dispensing rates for these drugs in Wales compared to North East England, but the difference between the two areas was modest.  The study also found no evidence of switching from drugs available over-the-counter without prescriptions.

While Wales lost the revenue it used to earn from prescription charges (£32 million in 2003) the huge increase in dispensing which many had predicted when the new Welsh policy initiative was announced was clearly shown not to have materialised.  The Scottish Parliament which has announced plans to abolish prescription charges and the Northern Ireland Assembly which abolished prescription charges last week, have both expressed interest in the results of this Welsh study.