Written question asked by Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour) on Friday, 19 January 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 26 January 2024 (named day). It was answered by Andrea Leadsom (Conservative) on Friday, 26 January 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the list of medical conditions which meet the criteria for a medical exemption certificate.

Original answer: Approximately 89% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge. People on a low income who do not qualify for an exemption from prescription charges can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, which provides help with health costs on an income-related basis. For those who do not qualify for an exemption, prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) allow people to obtain as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost. A three-monthly PPC or an annual PPC will save people money if they need four or more items in three months or 13 or more items in 12 months.

The answer was corrected by Andrea Leadsom (Conservative)

on Thursday, 1 February 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Corrected answer: Approximately 89% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge. People on a low income who do not qualify for an exemption from prescription charges can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, which provides help with health costs on an income-related basis. For those who do not qualify for an exemption, prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) allow people to obtain as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost. A three-monthly PPC or an annual PPC will save people money if they need four or more items in three months or 12 13 or more items in 12 months.

Secondary information