I don't think we're going to have charabancs of people coming across the Severn Bridge brandishing prescriptions for acne medication

Dr Tony Calland, Wales GPs' committee

The decision raised fears that young English patients would come across the border for free medicines which they cannot get in England.

But doctors said that was unlikely to be the case.

Dr Tony Calland, whose Lower Wye Valley surgery straddles the border, said: "I don't think we're going to have charabancs of people coming across the Severn Bridge brandishing prescriptions for acne medication."

Dental examination charges are also being abolished for 18-25 year olds under the changes, introduced on April 1.

The two measures are likely to cost the Welsh Assembly �3m.

'Targetting help'

The proposals were outlined by Welsh Assembly Health Minister Jane Hutt.

She said: "The amount of disposable income for this group is less than for the 25 to 59 age group, particularly for young couples with children."

The decision is part of the Partnership Agreement, made when the Liberal Democrats joined the cabinet in October 2000.

Dr Calland, chairman of the British Medical Association's Welsh GPs' commiittee, said the measure would have little effect as most 18-25 year olds were rarely ill.

"The whole prescription charge system needs to be reviewed - across the whole of the UK.

"The changes in Wales are a political gesture that the Assembly is addressing the issue, but only in a minor way.

"I think this is the first step in a serious divide between England and Wales."

Dr Calland said it was possible that some English patients living close to the border may come across for free prescriptions, but said the cost of travelling across would, for most, outweigh the savings on prescription charges.