Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson today hailed the introduction of new charges for prescriptions that will see the cost of buying some medicines in Scotland more than halved. The slash in prescription costs is the first step towards the SNP Government fulfilling its pledge to abolish prescription charges by 2011.
As of April 1 2008 prescription charges will be reduced to £5.00, a cut of over 25 per cent, with further phased reduction towards a total abolition of the charges in 2011. Those people who suffer from chronic or long-term conditions will also benefit from an over 50 per cent cut in the cost of prescription pre-payment certificates.
Speaking today Mr Stevenson said:
"The high cost of prescription charges has been at hot topic at my constituency surgeries and I am sure the people of Banff and Buchan will welcome what is the first stage in the abolition of prescription charges.
"We see prescription charges to be in essence a tax on ill health and a potential barrier for many people who would otherwise seek medicine and medical advice for a variety of illness. We see any financial barrier to seeking healthcare as one that can have a negative impact not only on an individual’s long term health and wellbeing but also a factor that can potentially lead to greater pressures being placed on other areas of the National Health Service further down the line.
"We believe in the right to healthcare provision irrespective of ones ability to pay and this policy will work towards matching that view. Our goal is to build a healthier nation and this is just one aspect of a wider programme to tackle Scotland shameful health record.
"Alongside the reduction in prescription charges we have also seen an extension of preventative care and the promotion of sport and changes to our unhealthy eating habits. It is through making healthcare provision and medicine more accessible while targeting specific ailments and cultural traditions with respect to diet that the SNP Government aims to greatly improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Banff and Buchan."
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
