Saturday 23 August 2008

Rise in free prescriptions issued

The number of prescription items dispensed in Wales rose by 2.9m in the first year of free prescriptions, official figures show.


The number of dispensed items rose 5% from 59.1m in 2006/7 to 62m in 2007/8, the equivalent to 20 items per person.


The chief medical officer said it showed there was more preventative work and more cancer drugs prescribed.


But the Lib Dems said the figures proved their concerns of introducing free prescriptions.


The figures follow a five-year general trend of an increase in items dispensed.


The National Statistics on GP prescribing showed the net cost of the prescribed items was �584m - an increase of 1% on the previous year - and equivalent to �188.90 per head.


Wales' �3 prescription charge was abolished in April last year by the then Labour run assembly government.


Wales' Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Jewell said: "We know that in Wales we have more people with long term illnesses than England.


"These figures reflect the fact that more preventative work is being undertaken, with GPs prescribing medicines which are helping people manage their chronic conditions and keeping them out of hospital, reducing the cost and pressure on the NHS.


"We are also issuing more medicines used to treat cancers, as cancer therapy has improved to a point where, for a number of patients, it is now a chronic condition, plus GPs are helping more patients with diabetes manage their condition under the new enhanced contract.


"The figures also show we are increasing access while reducing costs. The net cost per prescription item decreased from �9.80 to �9.42."


But Welsh Lib Dem health spokesperson Jenny Randerson said: "We warned the (assembly) government that giving free prescriptions for all would be disastrous and today's figures have vindicated our position.








The number of times dispensed rose by 2.9m, 5% rise



"A 5% increase (in items claimed) is disastrous when the (assembly) government is refusing to fund vital lifesaving drugs.


"The cost of this gimmick will be with Welsh patients for generations.


"While millionaires claim their free paracetamol, the health service will continue to be to stretched to provide life saving services."


Shadow Health Minister Jonathan Morgan, Tory AM, said the figures showed people in Wales were becoming increasingly reliant on prescribed medicine.


He said: "The number of prescriptions being issued for cardiovascular problems for example has risen by 141.5% and these are often for the largest, most expensive items.


"Rather than micro-managing the NHS, the assembly government should be looking at improving the nation's health.


"Only then, as we become a healthier country, will costs fall."




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Wednesday 13 August 2008

Corinne Bailey Rae makes live return

Corinne Bailey Rae has sung live for the first time since her husband's last in March.

The singer performed at the Limetree Festival, Yorkshire terminal week. She provided guest vocals for The Soul Daddies during the final 20 transactions of their set.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Rae in agreement to do at the event after hearing that organiser Sean Birdsall had named peerless of the stages after her late partner.

Jason Rae died of a suspected drugs overdose.



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Wednesday 6 August 2008

Does Moonves Want To Dump Couric?

Although CBS chief Les Moonves wants to let rid of Katie Couric, it would cost him some $40 million to do so, the New York Post's "Page Six" column reported today (Monday), citing an unnamed seed. The Post quoted its source as saying, "He's tried to get her to move on, and she was like, 'Fine, I'll