§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide that all the equipment needed by diabetics to test their blood be exempt from prescription charges.
§ Mr. John PattenMost diabetics monitor their blood sugar indirectly using urine-testing strips or tablets. These may be supplied on GPs' prescriptions and are provided without charge to diabetics as they are exempt from prescription charges. Equipment for direct testing of blood sugar is not available on GPs' prescriptions. If, exceptionally, such equipment is clinically essential for a particular patient, it can be supplied by the NHS free of charge through the hospital service.