§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of those receiving drugs on prescription (a) were exempt (b) bought them by a season ticket and (c) paid the full cost; and if he will give the numbers in each case.
§ Sir George YoungThe information requested is set out below and relates to England in 1979.
Total prescription items dispensed: 304.6million.
percent. millions Dispensed free-of-charge within the exempted categories 60.89 185.5 Dispensed free-of-charge to holders of "season tickets" 3.41 10.4 Prescription charge paid… 35.70 108.7
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what evidence he has of patients refusing drugs that have been prescribed by their doctors on account of the cost;
(2) if he will monitor the situation of patients refusing drugs that have been prescribed by their doctors in order to ascertain the difficulties they are facing and the reasons for their refusal.
§ Sir George YoungI have no such evidence. To monitor the situation referred to would require an elaborate and costly system, but, in any case, the wide-ranging exemption arrangements which result currently in about 66 per cent. of all prescriptions being dispensed free of charge include provision for those unable to pay on the grounds of low income. The income level at which exemption may be claimed was raised from 1 April when prescription charges were increased. Information about these exemptions is contained in leaflets and forms available from Post Offices and local offices of the Department, posters displayed in doctors' surgeries and chemists' shops; and on the back of every prescription form.