HC Deb 25 March 1986 vol 94 cc769-70
1. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of a prescription in August 1979; and what has been the percentage increase since then, taking account of his statement to the House of 10 March.

The Minister for Health (Mr. Barney Hayhoe)

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to the prescription charge, the charge in August 1979 was 45p, and the prescription charge in 1986–87 will be 389 per cent. higher.

Mr. Hamilton

I remind the right hon. Gentleman that since 1979 prescription charges have risen by 1,000 per cent. Need I remind him that many of the 25 per cent. who have to pay the full prescription price are on earnings only a shade above supplementary benefit level or family income supplement? In many instances people are paying not just for one prescription but for two or three. That is bound to have an adverse effect on good health. What does the Minister intend to do about it?

Mr. Hayhoe

Seventy-five per cent. of prescriptions are fully exempt and about 5 per cent., of those who require regular medication, are covered by season tickets. Less than one prescription in five attracts the full charge. The hon. Gentleman was being over-selective in suggesting that all those people are just above the limit below which they would be exempt.

Mr. Galley

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the present system is nonsense? Seventy-five per cent. of the population pay no prescription charges, and whether or not payment is made bears no relation to income. If people are exempted for a particular disease, that exemption takes into account all their prescriptions. Will my right hon. Friend agree to review the whole system in the near future?

Mr. Hayhoe

The British Medical Association has recently written to me suggesting that there should be a general review. My officials will be meeting representatives of the BMA fairly soon. Certain pledges have been made about prescription and other charges;and, of course, I do not resile from those pledges.

Mr. Kirkwood

If the Minister undertakes the review, will he give urgent attention to one of the consequences of the elevenfold increase, namely, that the cost of prescriptions to the patient is more than the cost to the National Health Service? It is scandalous that nearly one third—20 million—of the 64 million prescriptions issued cost the Government less than is charged for them.

Mr. Hayhoe

The average cost of prescriptions is somewhat over double the prescription charge; but of course within that average some will cost much more than double and others, as the hon. Gentleman has suggested, will cost less than is charged.