14 Years of Free Prescriptions – SNP Delivers for Scotland

It has been 14 years since the SNP Scottish Government scrapped prescription charges – saving the average household in Scotland over £400 every year.

In 2023/24, 6,421,780 prescriptions were dispensed by NHS Forth Valley alone, part of over 114 million across Scotland. Under England’s £9.90 charge, that would have cost local households hundreds of pounds. Thanks to the SNP, every one of those prescriptions was free.

Martyn Day SNP candidae said:
“The SNP is proud to have abolished prescription charges in Scotland, ensuring that everyone in Linlithgow and East Falkirk can access the medication they need based on their health, not their bank balance.
“Prescription charges were nothing more than a tax on ill health – and we will never bring them back. With the cost of living still biting hard, the last thing people need is to worry about paying for essential medicine.”

In England, Labour has refused to scrap charges – and the new Tory leader, Russell Findlay, has openly said he’d bring them back in Scotland, costing each person around £206 a year. The Trussell Trust reports that in England, 68% of working households on Universal Credit have gone without essentials like prescription medication because of the cost.

Labour is already signalling more private involvement in the NHS. Only the SNP can be trusted to protect our health service and keep prescriptions free.

In Scotland, your health comes first – not your ability to pay.