Written question WQ97253
- Asked by
- Darren MillarConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 6 days
Question
What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that free prescriptions are not being abused by non-Welsh residents claiming to have forgotten prescriptions while on holiday in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
In the first instance, visitors to Wales who require an emergency supply of their regular medication are advised to use the NHS Wales Community Pharmacy Emergency Medicines Supply (EMS) service. This service enables individuals to obtain a short-term supply of essential medicines without the need to register with a GP, ensuring continuity of care while away from home.
Decisions on whether to issue medication rest with the pharmacist, who will assess clinical need and should provide only what is necessary to cover the immediate period, rather than a full repeat prescription.
Visitors are encouraged not to register as temporary patients solely for the purpose of obtaining repeat prescriptions. Where ongoing medication is required, individuals should contact their usual GP practice, which may be able to issue a prescription remotely via the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), currently being implemented across Wales.
These arrangements are designed to ensure timely access to necessary treatment while maintaining the integrity of NHS services for both residents and visitors.