19 May 2023

Free prescriptions will reduce hospital admissions - research

From Midday Report, 12:42 pm on 19 May 2023

Health researchers say scrapping prescription charges will reduce pressure on the public health system.

The Budget scrapped the $5 prescription co-payment at a cost of $618.6 million.

Professor Pauline Norris led a University of Otago study which found the $5 cost was an insurmountable barrier to medicines for many people. She speaks with Charlotte Cook.