§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason adult cystic fibrosis sufferers are not entitled to free prescriptions. [47863]
§ Ms BlearsNo adult is entitled to free prescriptions unless they fall within one of the following groups:
- people aged 18 who are in full-time education;
- people aged 60 and over;
- people who hold an exemption certificate on maternity or medical grounds;
- people who get, or whose partner gets, income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, full tax credit or credit reduced by £72.20 or less;
- people who are named on an HC2 charges certificate issued under the NHS low income scheme.
Cystic fibrosis sufferers who fall into these categories will be entitled to free prescriptions, but cystic fibrosis is not one of the conditions which, of itself, can lead to the issue of a medical exemption certificate. These conditions are set out in the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/620).
§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 15 March 2002,Official Report, column 1291W, on cystic fibrosis, what plans to has to reduce the number of conditions which entitle the sufferer to free prescriptions. [47129]
1018W
§ Ms BlearsWe have no plans to reduce the number of conditions which entitle the sufferer to free prescriptions.