HC Deb 22 May 1981 vol 5 cc213-4W
Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will add angina to the list of medical conditions which exempt sufferers from prescription charges under the National Health Service.

Dr. Vaughan

I have great deal of sympathy for people suffering from conditions not included in the exemption arrangements. I regret, however, that, because of the significant increased costs which will arise if the list of "specified medical conditions" were to be extended still further, I cannot agree to widen the present arrangements.

Many people suffering from angina will already be exempt on age or low income grounds and others requiring a lot of medicines who are not entitled to exemption can limit their outlay on prescriptions by purchasing a "season ticket".