§ Dr. Phippsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which diseases attract free prescriptions; how they are determined; and whether additional diseases are being considered for similar treatment.
§ Dr. OwenPeople suffering from the following specified conditions can obtain prescription charge exemption certificates: (a) Permanent fistula—including caecostomy, colostomy, or ileostomy—requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance.
(b) The following conditions for which specific substitution therapy is essential: Diabetes mellitus, myxoedema, hypoparothyroidism, hypopituitarism, Addison's disease and other forms of hypoadrenalism myasthenia gravis.
(c) Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy.
(d) A continuing physical disability which prevents the patient leaving his residence except with the help of another person. This does not mean a temporary disability even if it is likely to last a few months.
The list was drawn up prior to the reintroduction of prescription charges in 1968 in consultation with the representatives of the medical profession and includes only well-defined conditions which in virtually all cases call automatically for continuous medication. The list is the maximum on which successive Governments have found it possible to agree with the profession's representatives.
There is cause for concern about some medical conditions which the criteria do 363W not cover and I will be considering every practicable way of helping more of the chronic sick when we are able to make some further progress in phasing out prescription charges.