§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a monthly instalment scheme for the prescription prepayment certificate. [167597]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) scheme is designed to be simple so that it can be administered easily and with the minimum of cost. To introduce payment by instalments would inevitably increase the administrative costs involved. This could lead to higher PPC fees and so reduce the potential savings and make the certificates less attractive for those who continue to make use of them.
However, we are, with the Prescription Pricing Authority, currently considering the implications of introducing such a scheme, including the practicalities of payment collection.