THE NHS could save more than £20 million a year by scrapping prescription charges for people with inflammatory bowel disease and Parkinson’s disease according to University of York researchers.

Analysis found that about a third of sufferers do not take their medication due to the cost. Researchers said this means their health gets worse and they end up costing the NHS more money in the long run.

Nick Hex from York Health Economics Consortium said the move would also improve patients' quality of life.