Changes to charges and exemptions for prescriptions are being considered, Health and Social Care Minster Kate Beecroft has confirmed in Tynwald.

In a written reply to a question from Speaker Juan Watterson, Mrs Beecroft said her department was looking at all the services it provides in order to ’get a grip’ on its spending. She said: ’All options are being considered, including changes to, or removal of, the current list of exemptions from charges and increases to the charge per prescribed item.’

Mrs Beecroft said that 90 per cent of items prescribed were free. The cost was £16.6m, only partially offset by the £672,000 raised from prescription charges.

She said prescription charges are currently £3.85 per item, set in 2010, and an increase ’is long overdue’. In England the charge is increased each year and is currently £8.60 per item. Meanwhile, changes to the exemption regime are ’inevitable’ - and this may include an extension of charges to those of pensionable age.

Any changes will be subject to consultation and will require Tynwald approval.