§ 39. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now take steps to exempt chronic sick patients, including those who have suffered coronary thrombosis, congestive heart complaints, hypertension, arthritis and thyroid illness, from the payment of prescription charges.
§ Sir George YoungThe conditions listed are unlikely to meet the criteria set by the medical profession for inclusion in the list of "specified medical conditions" which convey exemption from payment of prescription charges. The present exemption arrangements effectively mean that two-thirds of all prescription items are supplied free of charge and I am reluctant to consider any extension of the exemptions since that could only lead to an increase in public expenditure.
§ 44. Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will consider the introduction of dual list prescribing, as in Australia, whereby patients may choose between free unbranded drugs and proprietary brands for which a charge may be made.
§ Dr. VaughanThe pharmaceutical benefits scheme which operates in Australia provides for certain drugs—including both branded and non-branded preparations—prescribed by a doctor to be supplied to the patient at a fixed charge536W —currently A$2.50—rather than completely free of charge. It is thus a form of limited list. In this regard I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Dr. Thomas) on 13 February.—Vol. 978, c. 703.]
§ 67. Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the scheme for exemptions from payment of prescription charges.
§ Sir George YoungYes. The present arrangements for exemptions and prepayment certificates—season tickets—ensure that no one need suffer hardship.