21/05/2016 BBC Wales Today

The number of prescription drugs dispensed in Wales increased

A report published by the Welsh Government shows that

nearly 80 million prescriptions were issued here in 2015.

The government says it's up to GPs to use their professional judgement

based on patient needs when issuing prescriptions.

For almost a decade if you live in Wales getting hold of buskers --

descriptions by UGP has been free. In that time the number and that has

risen by 40%. 79.5 million were issued here last year compared to

78.5 point 5,000,020 14. That is over 25 prescriptions per person,

more than in any other UK nation. More people come to Wales to retire,

they tend to be elderly and need more prescriptions. More people in

Wales have worked in heavy industries like coal, the steel

industry and again that affects their health. Income can affect

health and also to a certain extent people getting free prescriptions,

back can increase to a small extent. The Welsh Government scrapped

charges in 2007, it is a policy that cost the NHS around ?600 million per

year and the government says that decisions to issue them are a matter

for GPs and other prescribers to make based on their professional

judgment and the patient's needs, something that has not changed since

the charges were scrapped. The Welsh Government also points out that

arise in the number of drugs being dispensed is a trend seen in England

as well. The Royal pharmaceutical Society says the figures show that

pharmacists are providing a good service to patients, regardless of

whether or not they have to dig into their purses to for prescriptions.

Kirsty Williams' appointment as Education Secretary has been

approved by her party at a special conference this afternoon.

The only remaining Liberal Democrat Assembly Member was offered

the portfolio by Carwyn Jones earlier this week.

One former special advisor to a First Minister told

the Sunday Politics Wales programme that Kirsty Williams has done

a lot better than other coalition partners:

Previous more smaller coalition agreements,

which sounded quite grand, but were not of huge

A bomb disposal team has carried out a controlled explosion

after a suspected explosive device washed up on a Carmarthenshire

Experts from the army got rid of the item, thought to be a bomb,

Some sports news now and Chris Coleman's contract

as Wales manager is set to be extended beyond the European

His current deal ends after the tournament in France,

but after negotiations, the Football Association of Wales

is expected to announce an extension on Monday.

Staying with football, and Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey

is expected to feature for Crystal Palace as they prepare

to take on Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley

The London club are without Wales midfielder Joe Ledley who's

Cycling, and roads across South East Wales will be closed

tomorrow morning as 12 thousand riders take part in

The 140 kilometre course starts in Cardiff and moves

through Newport to Abergavenny and back into the capital.

The organisers say following major criticism last year,

they've written to 100 thousand households to make them

We have had a team engaged over the last nine months which has really

been behind-the-scenes dealing last nine months which has really

the residents and businesses and all those people impacted on the route

the residents and businesses and all and trying to make sure that anyone

who has got an issue with road closures is dealt with in a positive

way. It has been not without challenge but it has been a positive

Time for a quick check on the weather.

It should be a mostly dry night apart from the odd coastal shower.

The winds will drop too, turning chilly --