§ 11. Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Minister of Health what is now the estimated cost of administering the exemption arrangements for prescription charges.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonNo separate figure is calculable but I expect the total administrative costs of reintroducing prescription charges, with exemptions under the interim arrangements to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Dr. David Owen) on 25th April, to be between £½ million and £¾ million. A substantial proportion of the cost will relate to arrangements to make sure that everyone understands what charges have to be paid. who may claim exemption or refund and how to make a claim.—[Vol. 763, c.81–2.]
§ 36 and 37. Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from leukaemia does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time when such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he would expect to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from schizophrenia does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time when such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he would expect to be prescribed during that period.
§ 38 and 39. Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from gall stones does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Com- 150W mand Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time when such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he would expect to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from diaphragmatic hernia does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time when such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he would expect to be prescribed during that period.
§ 40 and 41. Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from diverticulitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from proctitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ 42. Mr. Gardnerasked the Minister of Health, why a person suffering from hepatitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
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§ 43 and 44. Mr. Manuelasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from bronchial asthma does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from chronic bronchitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 400 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ 45. Mr. Hugh D. Brownasked the Minister of Health why a person suffering from renal failure does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ 46 and 47. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from congenital heart disease does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from spina bifida does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items 152W he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ 49 and 50. Mr. Haseldineasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges, in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from cancer of the lung does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges, in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would, require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ 51 and 52. Mr. Peter M. Jacksonasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from cerebral thrombosis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from a duodenal ulcer does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ 53 and 54. Mr. Bidwellasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from dermatitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period 153W of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from depression does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ 56 and 57. Dr. Summerskillasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from nephritis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from osteoarthritis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ 59 and 60. Mr. Probertasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from angina does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from multiple sclerosis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would 154W require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ 66 and 67. Mr. Molloyasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from sciatica does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from prolapsed intervertebral disc does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ 69. Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Health what progress he has made in arriving at a satisfactory system of exemption from prescription charges for the chronic sick.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonAs to the definition of chronic sickness and the reasons for it, I would refer my hon. Friends to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Mr. Victor Yates) on 21st March. Duration and amount of medication is a matter for medical judgment in the individual case.—[Vol. 761, c.143–5.]
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from ulcerative colitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from gastric ulcer does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance 155W with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ Mr. Bidwellasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from osteomyelitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from fisula in ano does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(3) why a person suffering from pruritus does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(4) why a person suffering from psoriasis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ Mr. Probertasked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from arteriosclerosis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in 156W paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;
(2) why a person suffering from tuberculosis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.
§ Sir N. Cooper-Keyasked the Minister of Health whether he will include pulmonary tuberculosis in the list of conditions for drugs which will be prescribed without a prescription charge.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI would refer the hon. Members to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wandsworth, Central (Dr. David Kerr) and other hon. Members today.