A PHARMACIST has said chemists feel “neglected” by the Government as Labour announced it would end prescription fees if it wins an election.

Brighton pharmacy owner Colin Dang spoke of the hardships faced by shops like his as Labour’s shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth paid a visit to announce the new policy.

Mr Dang said the proposed scrapping of prescription fees was a “huge” announcement but wanted commitments more money would go to pharmacies.

“Whenever someone pays the prescription fees, we don’t actually get any of that,” said Mr Dang.

“It goes straight to the Government, and if the patient pays by card we actually have to pay the card fee too.

“We have a lot of people on low income come here and sometimes they can’t afford it to pay the fee.

“So then they get fines, which they can’t pay either. One person was fined £19,000.”

Mr Dang said closure of Boots in London Road last week showed the crisis faced by pharmacies in the city.

“The main problem is workload,” he said.

“Because of NHS funding cuts we’re taking in more work without the extra staff. It’s causing a lot of problems.

“We’ve also lost a lot of money because we’re not getting reimbursed by the Government for giving certain medicines, it just comes out of our pocket.

“Sometimes we’re selling medicine at a loss.”

The pharmacy owner added he was considering scrapping free delivery because he was struggling to cover the costs of it.

“Abolishing prescription fees is going to cost a lot of money. Where will they get it from?” Mr Dang said.

Speaking to the Argus, Labour health chief Mr Ashworth said the policy would be funded by increased taxes on the rich and corporations.

“We’ve got people having to choose between putting food on the table or getting their medicine,” the Leicester MP said.

“I was struck by the case of a 19-year-old who died of an asthma attack because she couldn’t afford an inhaler.

“We would tell the richest in society to pay a bit extra in order to help that, which I think is fair.

“And we need to invest more in pharmacies. The Tories have actually cut spending in them.”

Asked why Brighton residents should trust Labour when Brighton faces a shortage of GPs under a Labour council, Mr Ashworth blamed the current situation on Government cuts.

He said: “These are all top-level cuts made by the Tory Prime Minister.

“Councils have been told to take over care and at the same time have had their funding cut.

“I think the Labour council is doing all it can to provide care here.”