SICK patients are putting their health at further risk because they cannot afford to pay for their prescriptions, it was revealed today.

Health watchdogs believe many East Lancashire people who seek medical advice from their GPs are failing to have their pills and medicines dispensed.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Community Health Council today called for a overhaul of the system of paying for prescriptions.

The call came just weeks before the cost of a single item was due to rise by 10p from £5.80 to £5.90 from April 1.

Nigel Robinson, chief officer of the CHC, said he was aware of cases where people had been given a prescription by their GP, but had not collected it because of the high cost.

He said the problem surrounded multiple prescriptions where patients had to pay for several items.

Mr Robinson said: "The system of paying for multiple prescriptions needs looking at carefully.

"There is no problem for people who are exempt and don't have to pay, but if you have got to spend £15 or £20 a time for several prescriptions it is an awful lot of money.

"I think a different payment system should be introduced to allow patients to pay monthly.

"There is an existing pre-payment system where patients can pay an annual fee of about £80 to entitle them to as many prescriptions as they need.

"But the problem is that the money needs to be paid up front, in a lump sum. There is no easy way of paying for it."

His comments were backed by the British Medical Association.

A BMA spokesman said: "We are concerned that the high cost of prescription charges can cause patients to resist seeking medical help or collect essential medicines for their treatment.

"The BMA believes that the Government must undertake an urgent review of the present system for prescription charges. There are too many anomalies in the current system which need to be addressed to ensure that charges to all patients are fair and equitable."

Health Minister John Denham said the 10p rise was the lowest in 20 years.

He said: "The increase, which is below the January inflation figure, will protect the contribution that charges make to NHS income and to maintaining services to patients."

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