Why is this important?
Free prescriptions
Date: 25 March 2011
Prescriptions will be free for everyone in Scotland from 1 April 2011, when the Scottish Government is abolishing prescription charges. Prescriptions are already free in Wales and Northern Ireland.
No charges will be payable in relation to any Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish prescription forms that are presented to pharmacists in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Charges continue to be payable in relation to English prescription forms which are presented to pharmacists in Scotland (unless the patient is exempt on other grounds).
Anyone who pays a prescription charge after 1 April 2011 but was entitled to be exempt, can claim a refund of the charge.