Prescription fees could raise £3.8m

Minister's assurances over proposals

The Health Minister believes a rise in prescription changes could net £3.8 million for Treasury's coffers.

That's if proposals to impose a new £5 per item levy, and exemption categories included in the National Health and Care General Scheme, are agreed by Tynwald.

The Department of Health and Social Care recouped £671,760 from prescriptions in the last financial year, with £692,481 expected this year.

Kate Beecroft says the final sum would be less should residents choose to buy into prepaid certificates - at a cost of £60 each.

A petition against the heightened cost of prescriptions has been launched online - it's now reached over 3,000 signatures.