Save free prescriptions for 60-65 year olds

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin is urging people to make their voices heard about the Government’s proposed plan to raise the age for free prescriptions.

On 1 July the Government launched a consultation to move the age for free prescriptions from 60 to state pension age. This could leave thousands of older people in Shropshire and Telford struggling to afford the prescriptions they need.

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin strongly opposes the plan and has concerns about the lack of awareness surrounding the consultation process.

Heather Osborne, Chief Executive of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, said: ‘There is little known about this consultation, we need to make people aware of the Government’s proposal to raise the age of free prescriptions. Older people in our county who are just above the threshold for benefits on low incomes are already struggling to make ends meet, raising the free prescription benefit to those of state pension age will have a detrimental effect on people’s health.’

We’re backing the campaign to oppose the plan amongst a number of concerns not least affordability; making older people pay could discourage them from getting a diagnosis and adhere to their prescribed medication.

The Government is asking for your comments; anyone can submit a response to the consultation by visiting the website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/consultation-on-aligning-the-upper-age-for-nhs-prescription-exemptions-with-state-pension-age

The deadline to submit your comments is 2 September 2021.