England is now the only one of the four home nations that levies a prescription charge, and there it is only paid by around 10% of patients.

Children and pensioners are exempt, along with people with certain long term conditions (LTC) such as diabetes and cancer. But patients with other LTCs such as asthma and multiple sclerosis do have to pay, and it is not clear how the distinction is made. An estimated 7 million people of working age in England have a long term condition.

A survey by the Drug & Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) shows that two thirds of pharmacists and GPs think that the current exemption criteria for prescription charges in England should be widened to include anyone with a long term condition (A similar number want the charges lowered or abolished altogether).

Around 40 leading pharmacy and medical organisations belong to the Prescription Charges Coalition, which is calling for all those with long term conditions to be exempted from paying prescription charges. It is currently running a public petition to present to whichever government wins the May general election.