CLWYD South AM Karen Sinclair dropped in on Chirk's Lloyds Pharmacy to see if they are all geared up for the change in Welsh prescription charges.
Prescriptions in Wales were reduced to £4 from August 1.
Karen Sinclair AM said: 'Introducing free prescriptions for everyone in Wales was one of Welsh Labour's top pledges for 2003-2007.
'At the moment some people who need their prescription will not take it to a chemist to be dispensed because of the cost. This cannot be good for their health.'
By April 2007 all Welsh prescriptions will be free, with the price being brought down in
stages. It is currently £4 for a prescription in Wales and £6.50 in England.
The Clwyd South AM explained: 'Only Welsh prescriptions will attract this lower charge, from Monday, August 1.
'People bringing prescriptions from elsewhere, such as just over the border in England, into a pharmacy in Wales can still have it dispensed, but they will have to pay the charge of the home country.
'Many people will find out about this for the first time when they go to a pharmacy with the prescription.'
Ian Cowan, of Rowlands Phar-
macy, Chirk, said: 'As we're so close to the border, we get a lot of people who live in England coming in with their prescriptions.
'We will still be able to dispense their medicines for them but we will be charging them the nonreduced rate, which is currently £6.50, if they have an English prescription form, whereas people with Welsh prescriptions will be charged £4.'
Karen Sinclair added: 'To be on the safe side, check you have got a Welsh prescription - most of them are green and bilingual.
'If you are not sure if you only have to pay £4 for your prescription, you can always ask the doctor or nurse or hospital or whoever gives it to you if it is a Welsh prescription that attracts the Welsh discount.'
