Martin Lunt, managing director of Lunts Pharmacies in Shrewsbury, Craven Arms and Pontesbury
A Shropshire pharmacist is urging patients to invest in cost saving initiatives after the cost of prescriptions increased on April 1.
Martin Lunt, managing director of Lunts Pharmacies in Shrewsbury, Pontesbury and Craven Arms, said it could be a good time for residents across our county to sign up for a pre payment certificate.
From the beginning of next month the cost per prescription will increase by 20p to £9.
Mr Lunt said: “Prescription charges have gone up every year without fail but the cost of a pre payment certificate – which acts as a kind of season ticket for prescriptions – has not increased for two years now.
“For anyone who has more than 12 items in a year or four or more items in a three month period this can lead to savings.
“When you are reliant on medication, especially for a serious condition, finances are not something you want to have to worry about.
“This system is not well known and now is the perfect time to make our customers aware of it with the impending cost increases.”
Pre payment certificates cost £104 for a year or £29.10 for three months.
Staff at all Lunts Pharmacies, which celebrated 50 years in business last year, encourage customers to do this when they come to collect a prescription.
“We often ask people to call up and register for one while they are in the pharmacy,” Mr Lunt added.
“They can use the consultation room and get a reference number over the phone, it is effective straight away so can be used for the one they have just walked in to collect there and then.
“In recent years they have also introduced the ability to pay by standing order as well, so you don’t have to have the money there and then either.
“It can be a great benefit for those most in need and we want to make sure our patients know about it and help them in any way we can.”
Lunts opened its first pharmacy in Castle Street, Shrewsbury, in 1968.
For more information about the pharmacies or for contact details of each store visit the website https://lunts.net/.
