The prescription charges system is a complete anachronism and does need a radical overhawl. The list of medical conditions that entitle patients to free prescriptions (for ANY other drug not just the drug for that condition) discriminates against the 2 biggest killers cancer & heart disease.

A GP, Nottingham,

How can it be "unfair" to charge what it costs for something? It is surely unfair not to do so.Too many people regard hand-outs as a right. Charity, by definition, should be voluntary, and only go to the deserving i.e. those who can't get by on their own, in spite of their best efforts.

Peter Cressall, La Lucila, Argentina

Yet another reason why we should get out of Iraq.

The direct savings from not having to mend soldiers and pay pensions would enable England to have free prescriptions.

Ian, Solihull, UK

Gordon Brown says he cares. How can he and his government care when he and his ministers defend an increase in what amounts to a tax on being ill!

Jack Stone, Southend on Sea, England.

The problem is the inconsistencies of the prescription system. Some medical conditions allow free prescriptions, such as under active thyroid , diabetes and epilepsy. This is is outdated and needs overhauling as it discriminates against people with other chronic conditions not included on the list

Steven Quilliam , Prudhoe , UK

'He added that 88 per cent of patients in England receive their prescriptions free. '

I queried this a month ago and this was the answer:

Approximately 50 per cent of the population are exempt from prescription charges. The 88% refers to the number of prescription items.

Spin ?

Bill Glanvill, Horsham, Sussex

I have a serious heart condition. Not only am I tarred with the IB brush, but I have to pay for my medication. now they have taken my IB from me leaving me with nothing.

However if I were 16 and knocked up all would be paid for.

Are you listening Gordon?

J. Wilkes, Gloucester,

“.... It is simply unacceptable in today’s health service to force people to select their medication based on what they can afford rather than what their doctor prescribes.”

Thats a JOKE - its more what we are ALLOWED to prescribe

A Doctor, Midlands, UK

"I believe the government has an active campaign of racial discrimination when it comes to the health care of the English in the UK.

Stephen, St. Ives, England"

I bleave this to be the case of all things to do with England not just Health.

MR W Jones, Liverpool, England

I would like to know how much of the £435million raised is spent on policing the system, selling prepay certificates, etc.

Perhaps it is very little as it appears that you can declare on the form that you don't have to pay with very little chance of being caught. This is almost a voluntary scheme

ian cooper, newark, uk

Prescription charges help offset the cost of inflated management salaries, management overstaffing and expensive public servant pension schemes. The Health Service under Labour has unfortunately become an untenable system.

peterj, Malvern,

A pre-payment certificate costs £102.50. How many poor people can find that to spare all in one go? Members of this Government should be made to live entirely on benefit levels of pay for three months before being allowed to make judgements as they are clearly not intelligent enough to work it out

P Robbins, Cornwall,

Has not Mr Johnson heard, inflation is running at 2.5%.
I know it's a joke,but it's their line.
Funny how this is never a factor when the Government is collecting money and an absolute when giving it away.
Many of the same people who lose on the 10p,without benifit,lose again.

robert everitt, wolverhampton,

I believe the government has an active campaign of racial discrimination when it comes to the health care of the English in the UK.

Stephen, St. Ives, England