Health written question – answered at on 12 June 2014.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health
(1) if he will abolish prescription charges for asthma medication;
(2) on what basis the conditions exempt from prescription charges are decided.
The list of medical conditions conferring exemption from prescription charges in England was agreed with the medical profession in 1968. The only addition to the list was the introduction of cancer in 2009. Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, then President of the Royal College of Physicians, was asked in 2008 to consider how this might be extended to cover all those with a long-term condition. The Department published his report in May 2010.
In the light of the challenging financial context, the Government made clear in the Spending Review, published in October 2010, that no changes would be made to the current list of medical exemption. Prescription charges in England raise valuable income, in the region of £450 million each year, which helps the national health service to maintain vital services for patients.
An extensive system of exemption arrangements, including for those on low incomes who may struggle to pay for their prescriptions, is in place which means that around 90% of all prescription items are already dispensed free of charge. Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPCs) are also available for those who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need multiple prescriptions. This is the fifth year the cost of an annual certificate, and the third year the cost of a three-month certificate, have been frozen. Both certificates will also remain at £104 and £29.10 respectively, next year. There is no limit to the number of items that can be obtained through a PPC. The annual certificate benefits anyone needing more than 12 items a year, and the three-month certificate anyone needing more than three items in that three-month period.
Yes2 people think so
No0 people think not
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