RESIDENTS of Dumfries and Galloway saved an average of £330 each in 2024, thanks to free prescriptions in Scotland, according to new data from Public Health Scotland.
South Scotland MSP Emma Harper celebrated 14 years since prescription charges were scrapped by highlighting the local impact. Approximately 4,192,617 prescriptions were filled in the NHS Dumfries and Galloway area last year, all at no cost to patients.
The data also revealed that if prescription charges remained in place, like in England, residents would have spent more than £41 million on the medications in 2024.
Ms Harper said: “We are putting money back in the pockets of hard-pressed households and ensuring that no-one should go without vital medication for their health condition.”
Prescription charges in Scotland were stopped in 2011, and from this point onward medication has been free and accessible to all in need, compared to a £9.90 charge in England.
Ms Harper added: “Despite the hot air and blethers of those who would seek to gradually sell our health service to the highest bidder, Scotland’s free prescriptions work for families right across Dumfries and Galloway who are saving every day, in some cases hundreds of pounds staying in their pockets rather than go out in fees for healthcare.
“Those who want to scrap free healthcare must explain to the public exactly why they think ordinary households across our communities should shell out nearly a tenner in sickness tax in the middle of a cost of living crisis.”
