§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of allowing the purchase of the prescription pre-payment certificate on a monthly basis at one twelfth of the annual cost; and if he will make a statement. [64594]
§ Mr. LammyIf prescription pre-payment certificates were available on a monthly basis at one twelfth of the current annual cost, the monthly rate would be little more than a single prescription charge, which would be attractive to people on all levels of income. In addition to the costs of collecting the payments and pursuing payment from patients who defaulted on their payments, there would be a considerable loss of charge income and a risk of very significant additional costs to the drugs bill. There would also be additional workloads for doctors if people who currently pay individual prescription charges sought prescriptions for medicines which they currently purchase.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of including prescription pre-payment certificates within the scope of the health benefits low income scheme; and if he will make a statement. [64595]
§ Mr. LammyThe cost would depend on the extent of the reduction in the pre-payment certificate (PPC) fee offered through the national health service low income scheme and the number of people who currently purchase PPCs who sought and were entitled to help in this way. Additionally, there could be a loss of charge income and significant additional costs to the drugs bill if people who currently pay individual charges obtained a PPC via this route for prescriptions for medicines and other items which they currently purchase.