LONDON, March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to the announcement by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo today that prescription charge increases will stay below the rate of inflation, Paul Bennett, Chairman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's English Pharmacy Board, said:

"We urgently need a review of the current system of prescription charges and exemptions in England - they are presently both illogical and unfair. There are clear disadvantages under existing arrangements, particularly for non-exempt patients, such as asthma and arthritis sufferers, who require long-term medication for multiple chronic conditions.

"There is a case for abolition of prescription charges in England; however the implications of such a move are considerable and should be considered very carefully in light of the likely impact on patients, professionals and the public purse.

"The Society firmly believes in better access to prescribed medicines for all patients without the constraints of a financial barrier. However, we must approach these issues with our eyes wide-open; with a clear understanding of the implications of such reforms for pharmacists, GPs, patients, healthcare services and the pharmaceutical industry."

For media enquiries please contact the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's Public Relations Unit, Samuel Ridge, 1 Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JN, Tel: +44(0)20-7572-2335; Fax: +44(0)20- 7572-2503