HC Deb 18 March 1997 vol 292 c577W
20. Mr. Purchase

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on prescription charges. [19181]

Mr. Malone

Only those who can afford to do so are asked to pay prescription charges. Extensive exemption arrangements mean that 85 per cent. of prescription items are dispensed free to patients, for example because of their age, income or medical condition.