Scottish Govt

[Deeranged]

Depends what you mean by "required" The NHS should supply life saving and life improving drugs only, if folk want Paracetemol and nit shampoo let them buy their own. Doctors sign very few prescriptions nowadays.

I know how I define the word required, probably same as your definition.

Life saving and life improving? What about health improving drugs? What about illness / disease curative drugs? I've personally never heard of a doctor prescribing Paracetamol but don't doubt it goes on, after all in a country decimated by Tory austerity there are plenty people who genuinely can't afford to pay the 50p or so it costs in ASDA.

[islaydarkblue]

I know how I define the word required, probably same as your definition.

Life saving and life improving? What about health improving drugs? What about illness / disease curative drugs? I've personally never heard of a doctor prescribing Paracetamol but don't doubt it goes on, after all in a country decimated by Tory austerity there are plenty people who genuinely can't afford to pay the 50p or so it costs in ASDA.

Thanks to everyone getting free prescriptions in Scotland GPs hand out prescriptions for paracetamol and aspirin.
It can be extremely lucrative for GP surgeries which dispense their own prescriptions.
Several years ago I read that it cost the NHS over £10 for a prescription for paracetamol or aspirin.
In my opinion people should not receive a prescription for medication they can purchase over the counter in pharmacies or supermarkets.

[Deeranged]

Thanks to everyone getting free prescriptions in Scotland GPs hand out prescriptions for paracetamol and aspirin.
It can be extremely lucrative for GP surgeries which dispense their own prescriptions.
Several years ago I read that it cost the NHS over £10 for a prescription for paracetamol or aspirin.
In my opinion people should not receive a prescription for medication they can purchase over the counter in pharmacies or supermarkets.

I don't disagree with that last point in principle, however what if they can't afford over the counter medicines? Just suffer?

[The AuldYin]

I don't disagree with that last point in principle, however what if they can't afford over the counter medicines? Just suffer?

Aye they should suffer, why should someone else pay for their medicine? And have you never heard of minor ailments?

[Deeranged]

Aye they should suffer, why should someone else pay for their medicine? And have you never heard of minor ailments?

I'm known as a bit of a callous and self serving old b'stard but even I wouldn't see someone ride out a throat infection because the doctor wouldn't give them antibiotics and pain killers because they couldn't afford to buy them.

I'm paying my tax and NI anyway so it doesn't matter to me where it goes, I'm not paying less if I decide I don't want any of my tax or NI going to poor people that can't afford over the counter medicines. In fact I very rarely use the NHS so better my contributions go to good use.

You've obviously never had to struggle in your life, good on you, but those of us that have usually have slightly more empathy for those that are struggling in the here and now.

[The AuldYin]

I'm known as a bit of a callous and self serving old b'stard but even I wouldn't see someone ride out a throat infection because the doctor wouldn't give them antibiotics and pain killers because they couldn't afford to buy them.

I'm paying my tax and NI anyway so it doesn't matter to me where it goes, I'm not paying less if I decide I don't want any of my tax or NI going to poor people that can't afford over the counter medicines. In fact I very rarely use the NHS so better my contributions go to good use.

You've obviously never had to struggle in your life, good on you, but those of us that have usually have slightly more empathy for those that are struggling in the here and now.

Firstly you have no idea what kind of life I've had and whether I've struggled or not. All that is irrelevant to the fact I would prefer my or anyone else's hard earned taxes aren't used to buy nit shampoo and corn plasters for the workshy.