A MEMBER of the Senedd has said he is “alarmed” by news that a man from Rhyl may go without medication because of his pharmacy’s introduction of delivery charges.

Llyr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales, responded after the resident, who asked not to be named, was told by Wellington Road Pharmacy that, from March 1, he would have to pay either £4 per delivery, or an annual fee of £40.

Mr Gruffydd, of Plaid Cymru, has called on Welsh Government to intervene to ensure that charging delivery costs do not exclude patients from accessing essential medication.

Otherwise, he says, it “undermines the principle that the NHS should be free at the point of use.”

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Rhyl man may go without medication with pharmacy set to add delivery charges

His office has also written to Camella Healthcare Limited, which runs the pharmacy, to urge it to change its policy to exempt those who cannot pick up their prescription because of a medical condition from deliver charges.

The Rhyl resident says his medical conditions, such as agoraphobia, mean he is unable to pick up his prescription from the pharmacy himself.

He warned that it could “put lives at risk” if the practice of imposing delivery charges becomes widespread.

Mr Gruffydd said: “I’m alarmed by the news that a gentleman from Rhyl may go without his medication because of an impending delivery charge being imposed by his local pharmacy.

“This is a prescription charge in all but name, and it completely undermines the principle that the NHS should be free at the point of use.

“Not everyone who needs a prescription is able to go to pick it up themselves or afford to pay a delivery charge.

“It’s a stealth tax on illness. I am calling on the Welsh Government to intervene to ensure that patients aren’t denied essential medication on the basis of cost.

“I fully support the fact that prescription charges have not been imposed in Wales like they have in England, but that policy is undermined by these charges.

“The Government now needs to step in to make sure that alternative charges don’t render the policy useless.”

The resident said: “I have not been feeling well, and I am in a lot of pain. But that aside, I suffer from agoraphobia and have other issues.

“So leaving the house is a ‘no-go’ for me, and as such, when I need the doctor to call, they do, and then when I need medication, they have always been delivered free of charge by the pharmacy.

“I received my medication a few weeks ago, only to find a leaflet attached to it. It read that the pharmacy is going to start to charge £4 per delivery or £40 a year, for deliveries.

“I suppose I am one of the lucky ones and could afford to pay either, as I don’t have many deliveries from them.

“But when you think of others who may have to have several deliveries, because they may suffer, say, from cancer, or something major.

“It was on principle alone that I thought I would not pay their demands for this or any other delivery and as such. I would rather go without.

“I understand that they need to pay their overheads, but £4 per delivery is way too much.

“And in this day and age, when we’re all suffering the prices for energy and food that could put others over the edge.

“If this pharmacy is allowed to get away with it, then surely others will follow. And that would, I think, put lives at risk. I hope I’m wrong.”

Lee Browne, managing director of Camella Healthcare Limited, said that the move was a necessary evil amid an increase in the likes of fuel and vehicle costs and wages in the last 12 months.

He said he has invited Mr Gruffydd to meet with him to discuss the issue in person, but has received no response as yet.

Camella Healthcare Limited has pharmacies in Rhyl on both Wellington Road and Vale Road.

Mr Browne said: “I have already replied to the Senedd member’s office by e-mail, inviting Mr Gruffydd to meet with myself to discuss this matter.

“I have had no reply and have not received a letter as of yesterday.

“The delivery service that pharmacies provide is a service that they choose to do. Community pharmacies are under no obligation to provide a delivery service; many have provided the service free of charge for years.

“As I said previously, I would have preferred not to introduce this charge. Unfortunately, increased costs have led us to this decision, as most community pharmacies that offer a delivery service already have - to introduce a delivery charge to private residences.

“I fully understand that times are tough, and that is why we have introduced the charge at a very reasonable rate.

“This charge will only cover part of our delivery costs, but allow us to continue to offering unlimited deliveries to vulnerable patients who need or want it.

“We will continue to send prescription requests and collect prescriptions forms from surgeries as we always have, free of charge, as do all community pharmacies.”

Mr Browne asked the resident to also contact him directly to discuss his options going forward.

He added: “There are ways he can reduce the cost and we can certainly discuss that with the resident.

“It is important that he receives his medication."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Whilst many pharmacies offer prescription deliveries, this does not form part of their NHS contractual arrangements.

“The decision as to whether or not to offer a free prescription delivery service is a commercial one made by individual pharmacies.”