Mrs. Jegerasked the Minister of Health what communication he has received from the Annual Conference of the British Medical Association about 117W prescription charges; and what progress has been made in his current consultations with the British Medical Association about single charges for prescriptions of more than one item, especially for chronic patients.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithSo far, I have not received any such communication. Consultations have shown that it is not practicable to introduce new multiple packs other than the dressings pack which I mentioned in my reply of 10th March to the hon. Member. Hardship can, however, be avoided not only through the arrangements for refunds made by the National Assistance Board to persons in need on National Assistance standards, but also by the prescription in suitable chronic cases of quantities sufficient to last for a reasonably long period.