I have been taking blood-pressure medication for several years and was always prescribed sufficient pills for 12 weeks at a time.

A year ago my GP cut the prescription to four weeks at a time. I complained vehemently that this was an extortionate 200 per cent increase in my prescription charges as well as being very inconvenient because I would now have to visit the surgery and chemist 13 times a year instead of four.

The GP told me this was a new policy to ensure patients were monitored regularly and kept their appointments for blood-pressure checks.

I had never missed an appointment and always made one whenever requested to do so, even though you could not make an appointment to see the GP more than 48 hours in advance.

My doctor agreed to resume the 12-week supply. This week I submitted a repeat prescription and found to my disgust that her partner (my GP is on sick leave again) had only prescribed four weeks supply again.

This time they say it is "Government instructions". Is there nothing this wretched government will not do to keep raising taxes? I am one of the "privileged" few who have to pay for my prescriptions and I am extremely disappointed they have found yet another stealth tax to hit me with.

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