Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie has hit out against the Tories and the SNP following today's vote in the Health Committee on free prescriptions.
 
She said it was ‘unacceptable’ that patients undergoing treatment for cancer have to pay for prescriptions when they are free in England and Wales.

Cancer patients in Scotland will continue to be charged for prescriptions until 2011. According to the Department of Health, up to 150,000 patients in England are benefiting, saving as much £100 a year on prescription charges.

Shadow Health Secretary Jackie Baillie said:

“I am angry and frustrated that both the SNP and the Tories want to let Scotland fall behind the rest of UK. I believe that Scottish cancer patients deserve fairness from this Government.

“It is simply unacceptable that patients suffering from cancer have to pay for prescriptions when they are free in other parts of UK. In Scotland, this debilitating illness not only threatens your life, but can also make you poor.

"In England, this commitment is being funded by reducing the cost of the drugs bill in the NHS by bulk-buying and the use of cheaper generic products.
 
"We need Nicola Sturgeon to show the same urgency about standing up for Scottish patients."

3 February 2010