Script system ‘under abuse’

Published on 09/07/2012 12:00

CONCERNS have been raised about “widespread abuse” of the Scottish Government’s flagship policy of free prescriptions after it emerged claims had been made for items such as toothpaste and sunscreen.

In one instance a passenger was reportedly stopped from buying travel sickness pills at Edinburgh Airport by a pharmacist who instead wrote an emergency prescription allowing them to get the medication for free.

A dossier compiled by the Scottish Conservative party claims the practice is costing the Scottish NHS millions of pounds a year. Among the claims are reports of a dental patient provided a prescription for a tube of toothpaste which would usually cost £2.35.

Jackson Carlaw, health spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, demanded that health secretary Nicola Sturgeon made sure the system was not abused.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said there was no evidence of an increased number of prescriptions since their policy was introduced.