Thorrun Govind, Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) English Pharmacy Board Chair, also said: “The proposal to raise the age at which people can access free prescriptions from 60 to 66 means that many more people will be affected by this tax on the sick at exactly the time at which they may be needing more medicines.

“It is unacceptable to raise the cost of prescriptions in the current economic situation when many have been disadvantaged by the pandemic. Such proposals will only further drive the health inequalities that have been highlighted by COVID-19.”

Ms Govind highlighted that in Scotland and Wales at present, there are no prescription charges residents will need to pay.

This is as a result of devolved governments having control over health services and the way they are administered.

As a result, she says, the RPS wishes to see the complete abolishment of prescription charges in England, whatever the age group, in the same way.