§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what provision the national health service makes for patients awaiting organ transplants requiring multiple prescriptions who are disqualified from free prescriptions because they are above income support levels; what plans he has to revise the specified conditions list to make patients awaiting organ transplants exempt from prescription charges either totally or above a specified level; and if he will make a statement; [19037]
(2) when the last review of the specified conditions list was carried out; on what date changes resulting from this review were implemented; how the review and its implementation impacted upon those awaiting organ transplants; how the review and its implementation impacted upon those whose medical condition precludes the reasonable prospect of an organ transplant; and if he will make a statement. [19035]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonPatients awaiting organ transplants who are not otherwise exempt or entitled to the remission of charges may qualify for free prescriptions if they have any one of the specified medical conditions, including a permanent fistula requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance, and hold an 211W exemption certificate issued by a health board. The specified medical conditions were last reviewed in 1993 as part of the fundamental review of health expenditure and we have no plans for change. Prescription prepayment certificates continue to offer savings for anyone not entitled to free prescriptions who needs frequent or extensive medication. Coupled with the wide-ranging arrangements for charge exemption and remission, they ensure that no one need be deterred from obtaining necessary prescribed medication for financial reasons.